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HYMNS 



AND 



SONGS OF THE CHURCH. 



By GEORGE WITHER. 



A NEW EDITION, 



REPRINTED FROM THE ORIGINAL PUBLISHED IN 
THE REIGN OF K. JAMES I. 



& preface 6? tlje editor* 



LONDON: 

PRINTED BY T. BENSLEY, 

BOLT COURT, FLEET STREET, 

FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, 

PATERNOSTER ROW. 

1815. 



C{1 









TO THE 

REV. MONTAGU PENNINGTON, A.M. 

VICAR OF NORTHBOURNE, 

AND 

MINISTER OF THE CHAPEL OF DEAL, IN KENT, 

OF THE 

HYMNS AND SONGS 

OF THE 

CHURCH, 

BY GEORGE WITHER, 

IS OFFERED 

AS A WEAK MEMORIAL 

OF A LONG AND TRIED FRIENDSHIP; 

AS AN HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO TALENTS AND LEARNING 

OF THE SOUNDEST AND PUREST KIND; 

TO AN HEART SOFTENED BY BENEVOLENCE, 

AND ILLUMINED BY RELIGION ; 

TO AN UNION OF INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL VIRTUES, 

WHICH ADORN AND EXALT HUMAN NATURE, 

BY A LOVER OF OLD POETRY, 

S. E. B. 

March 11, 1815. 



PREFACE 

BY THE EDITOR. 



X eruaps there is not, among all Wither's 
numerous pieces, any one altogether more 
curious, or more full of intrinsic interest, 
than that of which I here offer to the public 
a reprint. 

The history of this work of Hymns and 
Songs, and of the manner in which it was 
received, with the treatment experienced by 
the Author from the Stationers or Book- 
sellers, in consequence of the Royal Autho- 
thority which he obtained for securing to 
himself the reward of his labours, will be 
best told by large extracts from the follow- 
ing curious prose tract, produced by the oc- 
casion. 



VI 

" The Scholler's Purgatory, discovered in the Sta- 
tioner's Commonwealth, and discriled in a 
Discourse apologeticall, as well for the publike 
Advantage of the Church, the State, and whole 
Commonwealth of England, as for the Remedy 
of private Injuries. 

« By Geo. Wither. 

Pro. xviii. 13. 
" He that amweares his matter before he heare him, it is shame and 
folly vnto him. Suffer him then that he mayspeake; and when 
he hath spoken, mock on" Job xxi. 3. 

" Imprinted for the Honest Stationers." 
8 s . pp. 131. Published about 1625. 

, It is addressed to the Archbishops, Bi- 
shops, and others, in Convocation assembled. 

V Being from my childhood in love with the 
study of divinity, though I have yet neither know- 
ledge nor opinion in myself worthy of so high a 
calling, I employed that natural faculty which God 
had given me upon such expressions as, savouring 
of honesty and religion, won me the general good 
opinion of honest men. And though I was so 
young every way, that I first began to write, and 
then to learn, as the childishness and indiscretions 
of my Poems discover, yet they procured me much 



Vil 

respect and applause : which well considering on, and 
weighing my known insufficiencies, the slenderness 
of my performances, and my little means of know- 
ledge, together with what base entertainment lines 
of that nature usually find in the world $ I began to 
persuade myself, that God had extraordinarily given 
me this unlooked for esteem to some better purpose, 
than either that I should despise the same, or glory 
in it to a vain end. And that which made me give 
most faith to such an apprehension was this : I ob- 
served, that the good repute, which I had obtained 
unto, never got me any outward profit ; nor ever 
befriended me in the compassing of any thing for 
my pleasure. 

(C Whereupon, lest God should turn his blessing 
to a curse, and my reputation to my shame, if I 
sought not what way to employ it, unto his praise ; 
and observing withal, that we make use of the most 
excellent expressions of the Holy Ghost in rude and 
barbarous numbers, whilst our own wanton fancies 
were painted and trimmed out in the most moving 
language : methought it fared with us, as with 
those against whom the prophet Hosea complained, 
that dwelt in ceiled houses themselves, whilst the 
temple of God lay waste : and therefore seeing no 
other to undertake the same, I spent about three 
years to prepare myself for such a task ; and then 



proceeded with the Translation of the Psalms., ac- 
cording to that ability God had given me. But 
before I had half ended them, I heard that one of 
much better sufficiency had made a long and happy 
progress into that work ; and thereupon, in expec- 
tation of his more able performance, delayed to 
proceed with what I had begun, until such time as 
I was informed that the other was, by the multipli- 
city of weighty affairs, compelled to give over his 
laborious attempt. And then I thought myself en- 
gaged again to proceed. 

" Now during the time of intermission, as 
aforesaid, that I might not want an employment 
answerable to my first intention, I was by some of 
the Clergy, who, 1 hope, were moved thereunto by 
the Spirit of God, invited to collect, and translate 
into Lyric verse, the Hymns dispersed throughout 
the Canonical Scriptures : which I embraced with 
much readiness, and performed willingly; adding 
unto them such other Parcels of Holy Writ, Creeds, 
and Songs, as I conceived proper and necessary to 
be sung. 

<( And, because some can well enough allow an 
endless variety of foolish Songs and Ballads, tending 
to the service of the flesh and the devil ; yet be apt 
to say, we have Psalms and Songs enough in this 
kind already : and forasmuch also, as I have heard 



others, who presume much on their own soundness 
m divinity, ignorantly demand, what the Songs of 
Moses, Deborah, Hannah, and such like, are per- 
tinent unto us r To let those, and other unlearned 
and ignorant men know, that the Holy Ghost pre- 
served none of the Canonical Scriptures till these 
times of ours in vain, I have, in a short Proeme> 
according to the opinion of the true Church declared, 
that those Scriptures are every whit as useful and 
necessary for us, as for them, in whose times, and 
for whose particular occasions they were first written. 
And before each Hymn I have prefixed also a Irief 
Preface, to shew in what sense the congregation, or 
men may privately, and ought to, repeat them. 

" Moreover, having with grief observed, how 
the Church of England, like Jesus Christ crucified 
between two thieves, is traduced and abused be- 
tween Papists and Schismatics ; the one falsely- 
charging her with want of order and christian dis- 
cipline ; the other as unjustly upbraiding her with 
popish and superstitious observations: and having 
experience, that there are great multitudes of well- 
affected people, easy to be led aside for company 
into the later oversight, through want of some to 
inform them better, who would with small ado be 
conformable, if they had means of instruction con- 
cerning their particular mistakings : yea^ many of 



these being well inclined towards me, and I not 
knowing which way to use that affection better than 
to make it a means of increasing christian unity and 
devotion, I resolved to publish somewhat, to stir 
up in them that obedience and reverence which 
they ought to express towards the pious ordinances 
of the Church : and if I lost any men's esteem for 
so conscionable an attempt, I assured myself I lost 
nothing but what was never worth the saving, 

" To that end, therefore, having received en- 
couragement, and taken advice from some of the 
inost devout and learned of our Divines, I com- 
posed certain Hymns and Songs,* appropriated 
to the ordinary public occasions of our Congrega- 
tions, and to those times observable by command 
of the Church, and by the authority of the State ; 
that so God might be glorified in every solemnity j 
and those times not so much profaned and contemn- 
ed, as heretofore. 

iC And because I had heard some Teachers in 
Israel profess themselves ignorant concerning the 
lase of the Holydays observed in our Church, I took 
the more pains, though not presuming to teach 
them, to express before the proper Song, of every 
observable time or other occasion, their religious 

* 162-L 1623. JErfttor, 



XI 

ase ; briefly, and in such a manner as I hope every 
reasonable capacity may thereby understand our 
Church's discipline, in that point, to be far from a 
needless, popish, or superstitious tradition. 

t€ Moreover, that I might not trouble any man's 
charity or devotion, in the use of these Hymns, I was 
as watchful as possibly I could be, to make all my 
expressions free from bitterness, or touches of those 
controversies, which might give offence to the weak 
members of our Church. And God so prosper me, 
as I was, and am, clear from meaning to grieve, 
offend, or discontent, the souls or consciences of any. 
" Thus, with a good purpose, I began and 
finished those Hymns and Songs, which make up 
the book called, the Hymns and Songs of the 
Church. So named, not for that I would have 
them accounted part of our Liturgy, as I have de- 
livered to his Majesty in my Epistle 5 but because 
they do for the most part treat of such particulars 
as concern the whole Church of God. And this is 
that Book, for which his Majesty vouchsafed me 
the privilege before mentioned, and which he piously 
and graciously commanded to be annexed to the 
Singing Psalms, that it might be the more generally 
and more conveniently divulged among his subjects, 
for their instruction. 

" And indeed, by that means, these poor people, 



Xll 

whose pastor's suffer them, or cause them to be mis- 
informed concerning that point, shall carry about 
with them, in their most usual book, what may at 
one time or other open their understandings, to per- 
ceive their error. 

" This is that Book, for which I, ever worst 
used for my best intentions, suffer more than for all 
my former indiscretions 5 and for which I have re- 
ceived those affronts, that may well be ranked among 
my greatest injuries 5 notwithstanding it had besides 
the ordinary allowance of authority, the particular 
approbation and commendation both of the King 
himself, and of many the Members of this most 
reverend Convocation. 

<( Yea, this is that Book, for which the Com- 
monwealth of Stationers, a tyranny unheard of in 
former ages, desire to make me as odious, as if I 
had employed my whole study to the oppression of 
this weal public, or to the subversion of religion : 
and for which they have pursued me with such 
violence and clamour, as hath seldom or never been 
exampled in any cause. 

" Hear, therefore, I beseech you, their particular 
objections \ and for his sake, who hath honoured 
you with high places and holy callings, be you 
Judges between me and them. For, though in 
regard of myself, I should take no more notice of 



xm 

their malicious wrongs, than the nightingale, in a 
summer's night, doth of the barking of dogs, and 
whooping of owls $ but sing on without distemper, 
to the contentment of mine own soul : yet, since 
their clamorous noise hinders others from hearing 
the voice of the charmer, and through my side 
wounds the credit of Authority ; and may perhaps 
hereafter encourage them presumptuously for the 
bringing in of greater inconveniences 5 I desire their 
dealing with me may be taken notice of by this most 
Reverend Assembly. To which end I have here set 
down, what they cry out, to the disparagement of 
me and my Book, instead of dispersing it abroad, 
according to his Majesty's royal command, 

" Some give out that my Book contains nothing 
but a few needless Songs ; which I composed, and 
got privileged by Patent, merely for my private 
benefit, to the oppression of the Commonwealth. 

<e Some discourage those that come to buy the 
Book ; otherwhiles denying that it is to be had ; 
and otherwhile peremptorily protesting against the 
selling of it ; or disgracefully telling such as enquire 
after the same, that the Book is ridiculous; and 
that it better befitted me to meddle with my Poetry, 
than to be tampering with Divinity j with such like 
other words of contempt. 



XIV 

rc Other some there be, who dare aver that my 
Lord's Grace of Canterbury, with many of the Bi- 
shops and best Divines, do much dislike and oppose 
the said H\mns. 

<( Others again buzz in the people's ears, that 
the Hymns for the observable times are Popish, and 
tending to the maintenance of superstition. 

" And some there be among them, who in such 
terms of ribaldry, as no Stews can go beyond them, 
blasphemingly affirm, that the Canticles are ob- 
scene, and not fit to be divulged in song or verse. 

<c Yea, many other objections they make, and 
cast out diverse aspersions, as well upon the Author, 
as on his Book, to bring both into contempt. 

" The maliciousness, and superfluity of wicked- 
ness, appearing in these their evil speakings, your 
Reverences can easily perceive. Nevertheless, for 
as much as there lie pads in the straw, which the 
best judgments cannot discern at the first sight : 
and seeing I have been openly traduced, as unbe- 
seemingly intruding upon the divine calling, and 
stand now accused, as one that hath hatched and 
brought forth such things for my temporal advan- 
tage, which are offensive and scandalous to the 
Church, and consciences of good men ; which I 
would not willingly be guilty of for all the world ; 






XV 

by your patience, I do hereby give an account of 
my action, now in question, hoping that it shall be 
to the satisfying of this Reverend Assembly, the 
contentment of such as have upon misreport been 
offended, and to the shame of mine opposers. And, 
I trust, also, it shall discover, that although there 
may be found indiscretions or oversights in my un- 
dertaking, yet I have deserved fairer refuge, my 
adversaries less credit, and my studies better enter- 
tainment than heretofore they have found. 

" To keep myself the closer to that, which shall 
be pertinent to this apology, I will make these par- 
ticular objections my themes, which I have repeated : 
nor will I bring any other authorities to make good 
my defence than the true relations of what hath 
been done, and such plain arguments as mine own 
reason shall be able to frame. For, if this dis- 
course come to the view of your Reverences only, 
you well enough know what the records of antiquity 
can afford to these purposes. And if it happen 
among those only of mean capacity, such plain ex- 
pressions, as I purpose to use, will acquire most 
credit among them. 

" And, first, whereas they give out that my 
Hymns are needless j they do not only thereby 
contemn and slight my pains, but lay imputation 
upon the wisdom of the Holy Ghost also. For a 



XVI 

great part of them are parcels of the Canonical 
Scriptures ; originally Song. And to say, any frag- 
ment thereof were needless, is, in effect, to diminish 
from God's words, upon which follows a heavy 
curse. 

" God deserves every day to be praised of us for 
delivering his Church, by the overthrow of Pharaoh 
in the Red Sea, as much as he did in the very mo- 
ment of their deliverance. And the Song of Moses, 
then used, doth in every particular, as properly con- 
cern every Christian congregation, as it did the Jews 
themselves upon that occasion. For God's mercy 
shewed to us in our baptism, and the spiritual over- 
throw of the Devil, pursuing us with an host of 
sins and temptations, is, in mine opinion, more 
effectually expressed to a spiritual understanding by 
apprehending the actions and circumstances of that 
temporal deliverance, than it could be by the power 
of any words, or by any other ordinary jneans 5 ex- 
cept by contemplating, of that most excellent mate- 
rial object, the Sacrament of Baptism itself, of which 
the other was but a type. 

" In like manner, all the other Canonical Hymns 
do admirably help towards God's everlasting mercies, 
and for illustrating those particular mysteries of our 
Christian Faith, which they did typically and pro- 
phetically foreshew. Yea, they are part of the Pro- 



XV11 

phetical Witness, as the Hymns of the New Testa- 
ment are part of the Evangelical Witness, of our 
interest in Christ Jesus. And, verily, the late neg- 
lect of their application in our Christian mysteries 
hath not only much injured one of the two great 
witnesses of our salvation, but given occasion also, 
that many unsound professors have corrupted them, 
even to the bringing in of diverse Jewish and Tal- 
mudical fancies, to the fearful distraction of weak 
people. 

" But, were not those Hymns necessary in re- 
spect of the variety of their arguments, yet the va- 
riety of expression were somewhat needful, although 
the matter were the same. For, as the several 
dressings of one sort of meat make it diversely 
agreeable to the palates and stomachs of men, so 
the various manner of things delivered in Holy 
Scriptures makes them applicable to our understand- 
ings ; and what in one kind of delivery seems harsh 
or obscure, in another kind is acceptable, and more 
easily apprehended. That, which is easy to you, 
is hard perhaps to me ; and what may be thought 
an impropriety to some great judgments doth many 
times most properly insinuate the speaker's meaning 
unto them of meaner capacities. 

" In observing the seeming differences among 
interpreters, in their translations of these words,— 
c 



XV111 

ftassechu Bar, (parts of the last verse of the 2d 
Psalm) I considered thereby, that the profitable use 
of variety was very apparent. For the translation, 
most agreeable to the original Hebrew, renders 
the words, Osculemini Filium; the Septuagint, 
Apprehendite Disciplinam ; St. Hierome, Adorate 
pure : which being all orthodox interpretations, and 
agreeable both to the scope of the Psalm, and that 
which the words originally bear ; and all standing 
well together also with the analogy of faith : this 
variety made me conceive, in my meditations there- 
upon, that the Holy Ghost had delivered his mean- 
ing in these triple equivoques, that they might the 
more properly be accommodated to the several states 
and ages of his Church. 

" For, pardon me if I err, methought in saying 
Osculemini Filium, which was according to the ge- 
nuine and most common understanding of the ori- 
ginal words among the Hebrews, I apprehended 
that the Holy Ghost exhorted his Church among 
the Jews, to homage and worship that Son of God, 
who was diverse ways made manifest unto them, to 
be their true King. And Apprehendite Disciplinam 
being, according to that translation, which I am 
persuaded God himself extraordinarily provided, to 
reveal his truth by unto the Heathen, I conceived 
tljat the Holy Ghost persuaded his Church among 



XIX 

the Gentiles, who yet knew not Christ their King, 
to embrace the knowledge of him. And Adoramini 
pure, being the first translation that in Latin the 
Church publicly received j and about that time the 
true worship of Jesus Christ beginning to be adulte- 
rated, my mind gave me, that Psalm being a manifest 
prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ to the 
world's end, it might be, that God did by that in- 
terpretation persuade those perverters of his truth 
to repentance, who should disturb the peace and 
quiet of his kingdom in these later times. 

" But I stand not so thereupon as if I could 
not submit to better judgments. Sure I am this 
meditation is no way repugnant to the catholick 
verity ; and howsoever it shall be approved, it serves 
well enough to my purpose for demonstrating, that 
the variety, or different expressions of sacred things, 
are not needless, but do afford advantage unto those 
of mean capacities, if they meditate upon them with 
reverence and humility. 

u If it be but to awaken our dulness, and take 
away our wearisomeness in holy duties, variety is 
needful. For flesh and blood, as we find by daily 
experience, loaths those things, wherewithal they 
are naturally best pleased/ if they be too frequent : 
how much more tedious then will those things be 
unto us, which are perpetually iterated in the same 



Weirds, being naturally unpleasing to a carnal ear ? 
Since God in mercy hath provided and permitted, 
as means to assist our weaknesses, let not such as are 
strong enough to be without them, condemn the 
use of such helps in those who, being not so able, 
must have their affections weaned by degrees from 
their childish inclinations. 

' ' We see the flesh and the Devil, having for 
their service thousands of vaiin songs and profane 
ballads, stored up In the stationers' warehouses, have 
nevertheless many Muses perpetually employed for 
the composing of new strains ; and that many hun- 
dred pounds are yearly consumed upon them, to 
the enriching of those merchants $ to the shame of 
our profession $ to the corruption of youth 5 and to 
the building up of the kingdom of sin and Satan : as 
it is well known and observed by many of good note 
in this Reverend Assembly. Yet there having been, 
for divers ages together, but so many Hymns com- 
posed and published, as make in some impressions 
not above two sheets and an half of paper, for the 
reverence and practice of devotion unto the honour 
of God, they are censured impertinent 3 maliciously 
exclaimed on ; violently opposed ; and the author 
of them seeking, for the needful hire of his labour, 
but his due, and what strangers should have been 
suffered tc make thereof, is publicly accused, as a 



xxi 

ritm covetously hunting after the -World, and an in- 
jurious oppressor of the Commonwealth. 

" O God ! how partial are all men, bewitched 
with self-love, in the prosecution of their base ends, 
and how uncharitable in their censures ! For the 
Stationers have not only laboured to deprive me of 
the benefit due to my labours, but also to make me 
appear without Christianity in my intentions, by 
affirming that I sought my own benefit only in my 
Book of Hymns, and in publishing it according 
to the King's command. My Poem last divulged* 
was said to have been written in my own praise $ 
and the Hymns for my private profit 1 I wonder to 
what purpose the next book I write shall be com- 
posed. Verily, if I be not altogether forgetful of 
mine own thoughts, or too apt to believe over well 
of myself, as perhaps I am, my principal aim was 
the glory of God in both those undertakings. Ne- 
vertheless, truth is, I am inclined to the corruptions 
of other men, that, although I did what I was able, 
yet was I not altogether so free from outward hopes 
as I ought to have been in these works. 

** My weak fortunes, my troubles, and the 
chargeableness of a study, that brings with it no 

* Fair Virtue, the Mistress of Philarete, 1622 — of which a 
new edition is 71010 in the press. The other Edition of these^ 
Hymns, printed in a larger Svo. in double columns, has the 
date of 1623. 



XX 11 

outward supply, put me into a kind of necessity to 
cast my thoughts aside unto worldly respects ; but 
I hare since been sorry for it upon better considera- 
tion. And as a just reward for my too earnest look* 
ing after vain hopes, I do now accept of my present 
trouble, that outwardly is like to impoverish me. 
And the time thereof draws me the more needfully 
to consider it, being just about that season wherein 
I expected to reap some contentment in the fruition 
of my labour and expences. God grant this ex- 
perience may enrich me another way, and settle 
my hopes upon more certain things ; and that those, 
who accuse me of this imperfection, may examine 
their own hearts, and if they find them guilty of the 
like infirmity, learn by mine example to confess 
their error : and my prayer shall be, that we both 
may more directly seek God's glory in our under- 
takings. 

" But why should I be the man more accused 
than all others, for seeking after the just hire of my 
labours ? Am I the only one guilty of studying mine 
own profit, in the course of my painful endeavours 
for religious end } I would to God I were ; and that 
no man living, save I, were so wicked as to make 
his own glory and enriching, the end and scope of 
his Christian diligence! For, doubtless, such an 
universal piety would be a powerful means of draw- 



XX HI 



ing me to repentance 1 But I believe there be so 
few that can, with the Apostle, clear himself herein, 
that if none might be permitted to throw at me the 
stone of reproof, but only they who are free from 
this weakness, I may walk from St. Michael's 
Mount in Cornwall to Dover, and from thence even 
through our Metropolitan Churches, to the farthest 
Northern Isles, without touch of exception. 

c< And whereas they object I have compassed a 
privilege to the public grievance ; your Reverences 
shall perceive how innocent I am from giving cause 
of such an imputation, if you please to consider the 
circumstances of his Majesty's grant, with his pious 
intention, and my carriage in the procuring and 
execution of it : for I did not, as some of the Sta-^ 
tioners have done in the name of many, and by 
pretending the relief of the poor, whom they may 
be proved thereby to oppress, monopolize the prin*- 
cipal books of sale within this realm, even those 
wherein the Commonwealth have a just interest, 
which is really one of those monopolies which our 
State abhors : but having composed a new Book, 
which no man could claim a share in, while it re^ 
mained mine own, and in mine own power to make 
public or no; and proposing the same to his Majesty, 
briefly and plainly, without pretence of any bye- 
respect, I obtained a free and gracious grant to make 



such benefit thereof as usually heretofore, in like 
cases his Majesty hath vouchsafed unto others : yea, 
such as the Stationers would have made of it without 
a privilege, if so be I had left it in their power. 
* * * * # 

<c How unfortunate am I, as some think, that, 
having performed a good work, do nevertheless hear 
it exclaimed upon as a frivolous labour $ and stand 
accused for oppressing the people, because a few 
Hymns, containing the praises of God, are com* 
manded to be divulged the most convenient way, 
while such abuses as these aforementioned, and 
many of an higher nature, may be winked at in my 
accusers. Yet I say rather, how happy am I, and 
how much bound to praise God's mercy, who covers 
the multitude of my transgressions, and still brings 
me into public question for such actions only a* 
shall upon trial become mine honour $ and to the 
shame of my traducers. For I am confident that I 
shall in due time be delivered from that, and from 
all other scandalous imputations, which the world 
hath laid to my charge. And, therefore, whether it 
be now or hereafter, I am indifferent, and place 
such assurance in God's word, that I can stay hi 
leisure. 

*f I procured the King's grant, being the possi-^ 
bilityof a temporal blessing, by moving for it where 



XXV 

I ought ; and as I ought to seek the same, without 
any man's furtherance: and if it be not in every 
particular just and convenient that I should enjoy 
the same, it shall go 5 and I will venture an utter 
undoing, rather than make use of any man's friend- 
ship to detain it. For God, who hath hitherto pro- 
vided for me in such a manner, as best befitted both 
my temporal and spiritual condition, will, I know, 
continue his provident care of me, while I can have 
grace to be thankful, and retain the resolution to do 
my lawful endeavour. Howsoever, let the world 
conceit of me as it pleaseth, I scorn to enjoy my 
life, much more any privilege, to the common pre- 
judice : and am able to demonstrate, as shall here- 
after appear, that my Book, and the King's Grant, 
have been maliciously traduced without cause. 

" Yet the Stationers have not only scandalized 
the said Grant unjustly, and laid the imputation of 
impertinency to the Book of Hymns without cause $ 
but fearing, as it seems, lest their publication would 
discover their false dealing, and gain me and my la- 
bour some good approbation in spite of their malice 3 
they have, as I said before, practised also, or rather 
conspired, as much as in them lies, to hinder the 
lawful sale of my Book. For they provide thera 
not in their shops, as they are commanded by au- 



XXVI 

thority j nor furnish themselves with those, as with 
other books, notwithstanding they may take them 
upon trust, and make profit of them before payment 
is required at their hands ; being content somewhat 
to hinder themselves, that they may disadvantage 
me, And to excuse this injury, they give out, 
contrary to their own knowledges, that, if they take 
my books from me, none will fetch them out of 
their hands ; which they falsely pretend, merely to 
disparage that which I hope they shall never be able 
to bring out of credit till they have lost their own. 
For they are daily so much enquired after, that had 
the booksellers preferred them to sale, as they would 
have done if the copy had been their own, twenty 
thousand might have been dispersed long ere this time. 
Yea, if they had either any loyal respect to the 
King's pious command, or love to the practice of 
devotion 5 or but that humanity which is to be found 
among infidels, they might have divulged an hun- 
dred in place of every ten which are yet dispersed. 
For, though few know where to get the said Hymns, 
because they are seldom to be had among the book- 
sellers, yet thousands of them have been bought up 
by gentlemen and others, who, having enquired out 
with much difficulty where to find them, report to 
me how much I am abused among the Stationers 1 



X-XV1I 

and how hardly they can forbear from using them 
uncivilly that come to ask for my Book: with di- 
vers other particular discoveries. 

<• But because those usages do demonstrate their 
own evil disposition, rather than disparage the said 
Book, I will omit to particularize those many dis- 
courtecies which I am that way offered, and pro- 
ceed to answer such other objections as they and 
their abettors have framed, to bring both my Hymns 
and me into contempt. 

" And first, they object, forsooth, that they are 
not worthy to be annexed with their Psalms in 
metre, in respect of that insufficiency which they 
have discovered in my expressions. For so harsh 
and improper do my lines appear to these judicious 
censurers and their chaplains, that some compare 
them to Dod the Silkmans late ridiculous transla- 
tion of the Psalms 5 which was by authority w r orthily 
condemned to the fire. Some term them in scorn, 
Wither' s Sonnets ; and some, among them, the 
better to express what opinion they have of their 
pious use, are pleased to promise that they will pro- 
cure the roving ballad- singer with one leg, to sing 
and sell them about the city : which base speeches, 
proceeding from those scoffing Ismaelites, I could 
well enough brook in respect of mine own person 
or merit > for there is so much evil? even in the best 



XXV111 

of my actions, that contempt is the fairest reward 
which they can justly challenge. Yet when I call 
to mind with w r hat Christian intentions I was em- 
ployed upon those Hymns ; and how many hours at 
midnight I spent about them, whilst, it may be, my 
traducers were either sleeping out their time, or 
worse employed : when I consider also how many 
learned and religious men have approved them, and 
how much their pious use might further the re- 
verence and practice of devotion to the praise of 
God ; it grieves me that there should be in this na- 
tion any so wicked as to oppose so Christian a work 
to so frivolous an end. But when I remember by 
whom and by what authority that book was allowed 
and commanded to be made public $ and withal, 
what mystery of iniquity it is that hath conspired 
against the same, methinks it is an injury not to be 
tolerated* 

" Is it reason, they, who live by books, should 
\>e permitted to abuse the authors of their livelihood > 
Or is it seemly, that those, who, as I said before, 
are but the pedlars of books, should become their 
censurers > and, by consequent, both the censurers 
and depravers of that authority which allowed them } 
If this be tolerated, the fairest draughts of Apelles 
shall be daily subject to the foolish criticisms of those 
arrogant coolers ; and the State shall not be able, 



xxlx 

ere long to publish any thing but what they haVe 
a fancy to approve. For to this pass it is already 
come, that whatsoever the state dislikes, shall be 
imprinted and divulged by them, though both absurd 
and scandalous, with twice more seriousness, than 
any book lawfully commanded : but let it tend to 
schism, and they will disperse more underhand in. 
one week, than the Royal Authority shall be able 
to divulge in a year, toward the settling of unity in 
the Church. 

tc I know not what it is which should make my 
Book of Hymns appear so ridiculous unto them, or 
so unworthy to be annexed to the English Psalm- 
Book, as they pretend. In respect of the matter, 
it cannot justly be excepted against ; for a great part 
thereof is Canonical Scripture ; and the rest also is 
both agreeable thereunto in every particular, and 
consonant to the most approved discipline of the 
Church of England. So that, how squeamishly 
soever some of their stomachs brook it, they, being 
allowed by authority, are as fit, I trust, to keep 
company with David's Psalms, as Robert Wis- 
dome's Turk and Pope, and those other apocryphal 
Songs and Prayers, which the Stationers add to the 
Psalm-Book, for their more advantage. Sure. I am, 
that if their additions shall be allowed of by the most 



XXX 

voices, yet mine shall be approved of, before those^ 
by the best judgments. 

" Now, as for the manner of the expression 
which I have used,, I hope it is such as no just ex- 
ception can be taken thereunto -, seeing I have, as 
well in that, which is of mine own invention, as in 
the translations, used that simplicity of speech, 
which, being commendable in other things, would 
have obcured the majesty of those inventions. To 
this I had so much regard, especially in my transla- 
tion of the Canonical Hymns, that, if I mistake not, 
I have as naturally and as plainly expressed the sense 
of them, as most prose translations have done. And 
if those indifferent men, who know the poesy and 
power of the English tongue, may be my judges, 
they will censure my expressions to be such, as shall 
neither be obscure to the meanest capacities, nor 
contemptible to the best judgments 5 but observing 
a middle way best becoming that purpose, for which 
they were intended. 

<c I did not leap of a sudden, and irreverently 
into this employment 5 but having consumed almost 
the years of an apprenticeship in studies of this kind, 
I entered thereunto conscionably, and in the fear of 
Qod 5 nor have I proceeded without his assistance, 
as the difficulties and discouragements which I have 



xxxi 

passed through do witness unto me. For if it be 
well weighed, how full of short sentences and sud- 
den breakings off, those Scriptures are ; how fre- 
quently these particles, for, hut, and such like, 
which are graceful in the original text, will seem to 
obscure the dependency of sense in the English 
phrase, if the power of their signification be not 
needfully observed in those places : how harsh the 
music will be, if the chief pauses be not carefully 
reduced into the same place in the line throughout 
the whole Hymn, which they have in the first 
stanza; how many differences must be observed 
between Lyric Verse, and that which is composed 
for reading only : how the Translator is tied not to 
make choice of those fashion stanzas, which are 
easiest to express the matter in, but to keep that 
with which he first began : how he is bound, not 
only to the sense, (according to the liberty used in 
other translations) but to the very words, or words 
of the same power with those used in our allowed 
interpretations: lastly, how precise he must be, 
when he is forced to express any sentence by cir- 
cumlocution, to labour still to retain a relish of the , 
holy phrase in his expressions: I say, if all these 
circumstances be well considered, (and how difficult 
they make it to close up every stanza with a period, 
or some such point that the voice may decently 



xxxn 

pause there,) I am persuaded a work of this nature 
could not have been persisted in, to this conclusion, 
by a man having so many weaknesses and discour- 
agements as I have had $ unless the Almighty had 
been with me. Nor can I believe that the Devil 
would have raised up so many maliciously to oppose 
the same, if it had not tended to God's honour. 

cc But sure no man will grudge the annexing of 
the Book of Hymns to our metrical Psalms now used, 
in regard of any faultiness in their expression, if they 
consider the meanness of that translation. For 
though some, of no mean degree, are very violent 
-for the maintenance and continuance of their old 
version, pleading, as the papists do, for many of 
their trumperies, a long prescription instead of better 
arguments : yet I know it to be so much to blame, 
that no man of understanding can sing many of those 
Psalms, but with trouble to his devotion. And I 
dare undertake to demonstrate, that they are not only 
full of absurdities, solecisms, improprieties, nonsense, 
and impertinent circumlocutions, to more than twice 
the length of their originals in some places, but that 
there are in them many expressions also, quite be- 
side, if not quite contrary, to the meaning of the 
text ; which I would not thus openly have declared, 
but that even school- boys perceive it; though some, 
that would be thought wiser, do ignorantly or wil- 



XXX111 

fully protest against an alteration of our singing 
Psalms. Excuse me, I beseech you, if I seem a 
little too plain in discovering the faultiness of that, 
whereof so many are overweening $ for I do it not 
to disparage the pious endeavours of those who took 
pains in that translation ; but rather, commending 
their laborious and christian intention, do acknow- 
ledge, that, considering the times they lived in, and 
of what quality they were, they made so worthy an 
attempt, as may justly shame us, who came after, 
to see It no better seconded during all the flourishing 
times which have followed their troublesome age: 
especially, seeing how curiously our language and 
expressions are refined in our trivial discourses. 

" This hath given the Papist, the Atheist, and 
the Libertine occasion to scoff at our Christian exer- 
cises ; and troubles the devotion of many a religious 
man, who being desirous to sing with his understand- 
ing in the congregations, doth often, before he is 
aware, lose the sense of the Prophet : yea, and 
sometimes fall upon direct nonsense, among those 
many impertinent circumlocutions and independen- 
cies, which he is for rhyme's sake compelled to 
wander through in that translation, 

" Nevertheless, some I know will be obstinate 
in defence of their old metre ; and I shall seem to 
them, as one that had presumptuously laid an impu- 
d 



XXXI V 

tation upon our Church, and unreverently taxed 
what her authority had commanded; which, I 
thank God, I am not guilty of. For I well enough 
know, and your Reverences can witness it, that those 
metrical Psalms were never commanded to be used 
in divine service, or in our public congregations, by 
any canon or ecclesiastical constitution, though many 
of the vulgar be of that opinion. But whatsoever 
the Stationers do in their title-page pretend to that 
purpose, they being first allowed for private devotion 
only, crept into public use by toleration rather than 
command. Yea, custom hath been hitherto their 
chief authority : and therefore we may not only lay 
open their defects to a good purpose, without just 
blame to ourselves, or scandal to the Church, but, 
I hope, charge them also without offence, when a 
better translation shall come to light. For the mean 
time there shall be no reason, I am sure, why those 
should condemn my expressions, while they approve 
those measures we have hitherto made use of ia 
our devotions. 

" But lest the work should be able to justify 
itself, in spite of their detraction, my adversaries do 
pick personal quarrels also : alleging that I have 
undecently intruded upon the divine calling $ and 
that my performances, being but the fruits of a pri- 
vate spirit, are therefore yoid and unwarrantable. 



XXXV 

Yea, if we may believe the Stationers, many zealous 
ministers have taxed me for meddling with a work 
of that nature, affirming that it was a task fitter for 
a divine, than for me : and so bitterly have many of 
them, as I hear, censured me for it in their private 
conferences, that I have good cause to suspect it was 
rather envy than any thing else, which induced 
most of them to be of that opinion. If it be a work 
so proper to a divine that no man else ought to have 
meddled with it, I would some of them had taken 
it in hand, who give me so little thanks for my 
labour, that we might have seen with what spirit 
they are guided. I wonder what divine calling 
Hopkins and Sternhold had more than I have, 
that their metrical Psalms may be allowed of, rather 
than my Hymns. Surely, if to have been Groom 
of the Privy Chamber were sufficient to qualify 
them, that profession which I am of,* may as well 
fit me for what I have undertaken, who having first 
laid the foundation of my studies in one of our fa- 
mous Universities, f have ever since builded thereon, 
towards the erecting of such fabrics, as I have now 
in hand. 

<c But I would gladly know by what rule those 
men discern of spirits, who condemn my endeavour 
as the work of a private spirit. The time was, men 

* The Law. t Oxford. 



XXXVI 

did judge the tree by his fruit; but now they will 
judge the fruit by the tree. If I have expressed any 
thing repugnant to the analogy of the Christian 
Faith ; or irreverently opposed the orderly and al- 
lowed discipline; or dissented in any point from 
that spirit of verity, which breathes through the 
Holy Catholick Church, then let that which I have 
done, be taxed for the work of a private spirit. Or 
if it may appear that I have undecently intruded 
myself to intermeddle with those mysteries of our 
Christian Sanctuary, which the God of order hath 
by his divine law reserved for those who have, ac-? 
cording to his ordinance, a special calling thereunto; 
then indeed let me be taxed as deserving both pu^ 
nishment and reproof. 

<c But if, making conscience of my actions, I 
observed that seemly distance, which may make it 
appear I intended not upon ought appropriated to 
the outward ministry; if, like an honest hearted 
Gibeonite, I have but a little extraordinarily laboured 
to hew wood and draw water, for the spiritual sa- 
crifices ; if, according to the art of the Apothecary, 
I have composed a sweet perfume to offer up to 
God, in such manner as is proper to my own faculty 
only ; and then brought it to those unto whom the 
consecration thereof belongs ; if, keeping my own 
place, I have laboured for the building up of God's, 



XXXV11 

House, as I am bound to do, in offering up of that 
which God hath given me, and making use with 
modesty of those gifts which were bestowed on me 
to that purpose: if, I say, the case be so, what 
blame- worthy have I done? Why should those 
disciples, which follow Christ in a nearer place, 
forbid us from doing good in his name, who follow 
him further off? Why should they with Joshua 
forbid Eldad and Medad from prophesying, seeing 
every good Christian wisheth with Moses, that all 
God's people were prophets, and that he would give 
his spirit to them all ? 

" If I could have believed that for me to enter 
into orders would have made me either the profitable 
instrument of God's glory, or caused my labours to 
have been the more holy, or the more edifying, 
what had letted me to procure that advantage ? No 
man living more honours that calling, or would 
think himself more honoured, by being admitted 
thereinto, than I. Yea, often have I been urged 
unto it, and my possibilities of outward preferments 
in that way are not the least. Nevertheless, I am 
not only privy to much unworthiness, and many in- 
sufficiencies in myself, justly disenabling me of that 
function $ but my mind persuades me also, that God 
hath appointed me to serve him in some other course. 
There are diverse gifts and diversities of callings $ 



XXXVlll 

and by the gift God hath given him every man may 
guess at his calling, as the soldier : nay, know in 
what place of the battle to range himself, by those 
arms his captain appointed him unto : and that place 
he ought to make good, until he find himself fur- 
nished and authorized for another station. 

" I will, as the Apostle counsels me, strive and 
covet for the best gifts, so far as God shall enable 
me : but in what place soever I make use of them, 
I think I may be indifferent $ for every good gift of 
God may be employed with advantage in any voca- 
tion, one time or other. A. common soldier having 
the experience of a commander, may by advising 
and directing his fellows in familiarity, and by keep- 
ing his place with them as a companion, find op- 
portunity perhaps to instruct them better in some 
military discipline, than the office of a captain will 
permit. And so fares it in the Christian warfare : 
yea, even I myself have many times found occasion, 
by means of my habit and outward fashion of life, 
to effect some good, which I should hardly have 
brought to pass by a more strict profession. And a$ 
some cheerful labourer, by carrying stones and mor- 
tar, by encouraging his fellows, and giving now and 
then a word of direction, may further the building 
of a house more than many others, and win great 
commendation in that employment, who would be 



XXXIX 

rather a let, if not the ruin of it, if he should take 
upon him to lay the stones : so I that have, as a 
common labourer, seriously and somewhat profitably 
endeavoured 5 presuming into the place of a master 
workman, may become less serviceable, and perad- 
venture a trouble to the business I thought to fur- 
ther. 

u Let it not therefore, I beseech you, be an 
imputation unto me, that I have performed a better 
work than my calling seems to oblige me unto. 
For though some have taxed me for meddling with 
that which seems more properly to belong to their 
profession \ it is odds but they are otherwhile as 
busy in some employments, which would better have 
beseemed a man of my quality, than a man of my 
coat 5 and therefore let us excuse and forgive one 
another. That which I have done, w r hen it was my 
own, was subject to any man's censure ; but now 
Authority hath consecrated it, and delivered the 
same forth for public use, it is no more mine, but 
the work of Authority which they traduce. 

" Let all my writings, privately or publicly dis- 
persed, be examined, from the first Epigram thaf 
ever I composed, until the publishing of these 
Hymns, now traduced by my adversaries ; and ii 
there can be found one line savouring of such a 
mind as may give cause to suspect I undertook thai 



si 

task, without that true Christian aim which I ought 
to have had ; or if the performance itself shall make 
it appear that I proceeded without that due prepa- 
ration; or if you can have any probable testimony 
that through the course of my life, or by any one 
scandalous act, I have given that cause of offence, 
as may disparage my studies, or trouble their devo- 
tions to whose use my Hymns are tendered, let 
those things be laid to my charge, until I find means 
to disprove and wash away imputations. Sure I am, 
no man can attempt such a work, with a heart more 
desirous to be rectified, or more fearful to offend by 
a negligent performance ; and therefore if I wanted 
an outward calling thereunto, which this reverend 
Assembly may supply, yet I hope I had that inward 
calling, which is beyond the power of any to confer " 



The Author says of the Stationers : 

€< When they cannot bring men to dislike me, and 
that labour of mine, by disparaging the usefulness 
thereof, they object against the manner, or method : 
when that will not serve turn, they object against 
my calling : when that will not prevail, they impu- 
dently accuse it of obscenity : when that effects not 
their purpose, they give out that it is inclining to 
Popery : and when none of these courses will ad- 



vantage them, they rail, and send him that inquires 
for the book, to go and seek it where he can." 



" If," he afterwards says, c< I were so greedy 
of temporal advantages, as the Stationers judge me 5 ' 
or if I had merely projected my own profit in the 
course of my studies, without making conscience of 
Religion : I have had many and more thriving ways 
offered me than the world is aware of; and needed 
not to have expressed myself in such manner as I 
have done in my Hymns, which I was certain be- 
fore I published them would never purchase me 
good opinion from Papist or Schismatic. For, be- 
side other ways of these times which I have despised, 
I have been offered a larger yearly stipend, and more 
respective entertainments to employ myself in setting 
forth heretical fancies, than I have yet probability 
to hope for, by professing the truth. Yea, I have 
been wooed to the profession of their wild and ill- 
grounded opinions, by the sectaries of so many several 
separations, that had I listed, or rather if God had 
not been the more merciful to me, I might have 
been Lieutenant, if not Captain, of some new band 
of such volunteers, long ere this time. 

" But, I thank God, neither the swelling im- 
poiturnations of vain-glory, nor the itchings of sin- 



xlii 

gularity, nor the ticklings of self-love, nor the 
convulsions of envy, nor the inflammations of re- 
venge, nor the hunger and thirst of gold, were 
ever yet so prevailing over me, as to move me to 
the prosecution of any thing against my conscience ; 
especially if it seemed any way repugnant to religion, 
or the authority of the Church. Nay, those things, 
which I might justly and lawfully have done to my 
great advantage, and without reproof, I have volun- 
tarily forborne, even almost to the ruin of my estate, 
for no other end, but because I feared lest the 
malice of my adversaries should misinterpret my 
doings, either to the scandal of authority, to the 
offence of ignorant people, or to the troubling of 
their devotions, who are ignorant of the reasonable- 
ness, and true purpose of my actions.'" 



The Author then, according to the words 
of his'own abstract, 

" sets down how barbarously the stationers seek to 
disparage all his Hymns, by reason of that for St. 
George' s day : how unchristianly they misinterpreted 
his pious and warrantable intention in composing 
that Hymn : and thereupon taketh occasion to speak 
somewhat of the pious use of that solemnity $ of the 



xliii 

most noble and most Christian order of St. George, 
and the Patron thereof ; to the honour of that in- 
stitution, and in reproof of the vulgar and ignorant 
misconceits of his reprovers/' 



ce I protest," he exclaims, ce before the Searcher 
of all hearts, that I am not careful to make this 
apology, or to beseech your good opinion, so much 
to preserve mine own personal good esteem, as to pro- 
vide that virtue and devotion might not be hindered 
or scandalized through me or my depravers. Yet 
am I neither insensible of my temporal repute, nor 
so desirous of maintaining it, as if I should droop 
without it ; or thought the honour of good studies 
might not be preserved without mine. For I know 
truth shall prevail, though I perish ; and to the praise 
of God, and out of my confidence in his love, be it 
spoken, I am persuaded for mine own part that all 
the world shall not have power to turn me out of 
that course, which he hath set me into : but rather 
make me relish my happiness the better by their 
disturbance, and enable me in due time to despise 
most perfectly those vain applauses and encourage- 
rhents whereby my weakness doth as yet require to be 
otherwhile supported. And it may be, those, who 
shall live in the next age, however I am now thought 



xliv 

of, will wonder how the devil could find out a com- 
pany shameless enough to oppose and disparage me 
in so unchristian a manner as my adversaries do." 



<c I hope that your Reverences, whom, as the 
Ambassadors and true Ministers of God, I have ever 
honoured, loved, and obeyed, will, in what you 
may, be as helpful in the settling of my outward 
peace, as your instructions have been to beget in me 
an inward contentment. That which hath been 
censured un discreet in my former studies, was pu- 
nished severely :* let not that also, which the King 
and Authority approves commendable, be made pre- 
judicial unto me. For which way then shall I em- , 
ploy myself without disadvantage ? Although I 
grudge not that men, addicted to the most vain 
exercises, can reap profit and regard ; yet, methinks, 
it is somewhat unequal, that he, who hath bestowed 
his time, his pains, and his fortunes in better studies, 
should be altogether denied his labour for his travel : 
or, which is worse, suffer for his good intentionsj 
and because he hath endeavoured more than a hun* 
dred, be abused more than a thousand/' 



* This alludes to his imprisonment for the Abuses Stript oral 



xlv 

Again :— 
" If in any thing I have deserved ill, let them not 
secretly traduce me, but christianly reprove me, ac- 
cording to the duty of their callings. If I have 
deserved nothing, let them advise me how to merit 
better j or suffer me to be altogether unspoken of, 
as those many thousands are that do nothing. If I 
have deserved any thing, let them leave me to the 
fruit of mine own labour 3 and if that be not able to 
reward itself without their cost, I will suffer the loss. 
I have hitherto spent mine own time and labours in 
my studies 5 never aiming at any of their spiritual 
promotions, no, not so much as a Lay Prebend, for 
my labour. For the principal reward which I seek,, 
is that which every eye seeth not -, and that, which 
those who judge my affections by their own, think 
me to have least thought on. As for that outward 
benefit, which the necessities of this life, and my 
frailties urge me somewhat to look after, it is that 
little profit only, which my work naturally brings 
with itself: nor shall I be long discontented, if that 
also be taken from me. Some have already a strong 
expectation to see me wholly deprived of it ; and 
some (kind hearts) would be content to allow me a 
part thereof -, but not so much as they suppose my 
just profit would amount unto : for they say that 
would be too great a consideration for so little 3 



xivi 

work. Wherein they shew their gross partiality : 
for thousands a year are not accounted sufficient for 
some who have suddenly attained their estates, by 
unnecessary and base, and perhaps wicked employ- 
ments : yet they esteem one hundred too much for 
him, that hath performed a work honest and profit- 
able to the public ; because he performed it in a 
shorter time than some would have done : never 
thinking how many years practice and expences he 
had first consumed, to make himself fit for such an 
undertaking : never considering what he might have 
gained, if he had bestowed the same time, charge, 
and industry in other professions ; never regarding 
how long he might have been without hope of profit, 
if that had not happened : how uncertain the fruit 
may yet prove, nor how many troubles, charges, and 
hindrances he hath been heretofore at, without any 
consideration at all. But I leave them to their unjust 
division : let them allot me what they please, and 
balance my talent as they list. God will provide 
sufficient for me, to whose pleasure I refer the suc- 
cess : and though I may in this manner speak a little, 
to shew them I am sensible of their usage, yet 
£hey shall see I will walk as contentedly, whatever 
happens, as if I had the fulfilling of all my hopes/' ' 



xlvii ' 

Again : — 
" How great wrong then do I bear in my fame, 
that suffer patiently, not only their trivial imputa- 
tions, but to be unjustly also accounted a blasphemer 
and a profane person? and am by their means de- 
prived, not only of superfluities, but in a manner of 
all my livelihood ? For when those friends, who are 
engaged for me, are satisfied, to which purpose there 
is yet, I praise God, sufficient set apart, I vow, w 
the faith of an honest man, that there will not b 
left me, in all the w r orld, to defend me against mj 
adversaries, and supply the common necessities ol 
nature, so much as will feed me for one week, unless 
J labour for it : which my enemies are partly inform- 
ed of, and do thereupon triumph. But not to my dis- 
contentment 5 for I do comfort myself to think how 
sweet it will be to sit hereafter at some honest la- 
bour, and sing these Hymns and Songs to the praise 
of God, for which the world hath taken from me 
her favours. Nor doth it trouble me to publish thus 
much of my poverty, though I know it will sound 
disgracefully in the ears of most men. For I mean 
to procure no man to hazard his estate for me, by 
pretending better possibilities to secure him than I 
have, as others usually do : nor value I the reputa- 
tion which comes by wealth, or such like things, as 
rnay be lost through the malice of others, because I 



xlviii 

know I shall be the better esteemed of for those 
toys by none but fools, or such idiots, as will sooner 
blush to be found poor than dishonest. Yea, I am 
assured, that among good and wise men, it will be 
no more shame unto me to be made poor, by such 
means as I have been, than it is to be made sick by 
the hand of God : nor can I think it will be more 
my disgrace to have wasted my estate through my 
studies, than it is to some other students to have 
hereby impaired their healths/' 



Jm 



X11X 

It seems that this contest with the Stationers con- 
tinued for many years. The reader will recollect that 
the date of the pamphlet, from whence the preced- 
ing extracts have been taken, was about 1625. Mr. 
D'Israeli had the goodness to furnish me about a 
year ago (since which this preface has been sus- 
pended at the press) with some curious passages on 
the subject, from MS. cotemporary letters in the 
British Museum. These I have unfortunately mis- 
laid: but he has been so obliging as on my renewed 
application to repeat the following, of which he had 
preserved a copy. It relates to Wither's Psalms 
of David, translated into Lyric Verse, according to 
the scope of the Original, &c. London, 1632, l6°. 

It is an Extract of a Letter from E. R. (supposed 
Edward RossinghainJ to Sir Thomas Puckering. 

Jan. 23, 1633. 

" Upon Friday last Wither the English poet, 
convented before the Board all or most of the Sta- 
tioners of London, The matter is this, Mr. Wither 
hath, to please himself, translated our singing Psalms 
into another verse, which he counts better than 
those the church hath so Ion© used, and therefore he 
hath been at the charge to procure a patent from his 
Majesty under the Broad Seal, that his translation 
shall be printed and bound to all Bibles that are sold. 



I 

The Stationers refusing to bind them and to sell 
them with the Bible (the truth is nobody would 
buy the Bible with such a clog at the end of it) and 
because some of them stood upon their guard and 
would not suffer Mr. Wither with his officers to 
come into their shops and seize upon such Bibles, 
as wanted his additions,, therefore he complained of 
them for a contempt of the Great Seal. After their 
Lordships had heard the business pro and con at 
length, their Lordships thought good to damn his 
patent in part 5 that is, that the Translation should 
no longer be sold with the Bible, but only by itself, 
and for my part I think their Lordships have done 
very well in ordering it in this manner." 



THE 

HYMNS AND SONGS 

OF 

THE CHURCH. 



DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS. 



THE FIRST PART 

COMPREHENDS THE CANONICAL HYMNS, AND SUCH PARCELS 

OF HOLY SCRIPTURE, AS MAY PROPERLY BE SUNG WITH 

SOME OTHER ANCIENT SONGS AND CREEDS. 

THE SECOND PART 

CONSISTS OF SPIRITUAL SONGS, APPROPRIATED TO THE 

SEVERAL TIMES AND OCCASIONS OBSERVABLE 

IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 



TRANSLATED AND COMPOSED 

By G. W. 



LONDON-, 

PRINTED BY THE ASSIGNS OV GEORGE WITHEF. 
Cum Privikgio Regis Regali, 



TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE, 

JAMES, 

BY THE GRACE OF GOD, 

KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND 
IRELAND, 

DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, 4'c. 

Mercy and Peace, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. 



These Hymns, dread Sovereign, having 
divers ways received life from your Majesty, 
as well as that approbation which the Church 
alloweth, are now imprinted according to 
your royal privilege, to come abroad under 
your gracious protection. And what I deli- 
vered unto your princely view at several 
times, I here present again, incorporated into 
one volume. The first part whereof compre- 



liv 

hends those canonical Hymns, which were 
written, and left for our instruction, by the 
Holy Ghost. And those are not only plainly 
and briefly expressed in lyric verse, but by 
their short Prefaces properly applied also to 
the Church's particular occasions in these 
times : insomuch, that, however some ne- 
glect them as impertinent, it is thereby ap- 
parent, that they appertain no less to us than 
unto those in whose times they were first com- 
posed. And (if the conjecture of many good 
and learned men deceive them not) the latter 
part, containing Spiritual Songs, appropri- 
ated to the several times and occasions ob- 
servable in the Church of England (together 
with brief Arguments, declaring the purpose 
of those observations^) shall become a means 
both of increasing knowledge, and Christian 
conformity within your dominions; which, 
no doubt, your Majesty wisely foresaw, when 
you pleased to grant and command that 



lv 

these Hymns should be annexed to all Psalm 
Books in English metre. And I hope you 
shall thereby increase both the honour of 
God, and of your Majesty : for these Hymns, 
and the knowledge which they offer, could 
no other way, with such certainty, and so 
little inconvenience, be conveyed to the com- 
mon people, as by that means which your 
Majesty hath graciously provided. 

And now (niaugre their malice, who la- 
bour to disparage and suppress these helps 
to devotion ) they shall, I trust, have free 
scope to work that effect which is desired ; 
and to which end 1 was encouraged to trans- 
late and compose them. For, how meanty 
soever some men may think of this endea- 
vour, I trust the success shall make it ap- 
pear, that the Spirit of God was the first 
mover of the work : wherein, as I have endea- 
voured to make my expressions such as may 
not be contemptible to men of best under- 



lvi 

standings; so I have also laboured to suit 
them to the nature of the subject, and the 
common people's capacities, without regard 
of catching the vain blasts of opinion. The 
same also hath been the aim of Master Or- 
lando Gibbons (your Majesty's servant, and 
one of the Gentlemen of your honourable 
Chapel) in fitting them with tunes : for he 
hath chosen to make his music agreeable to 
the matter, and what the common apprehen- 
sion can best admit, rather than to the curi- 
ous fancies of the time; which path both of us 
could more easily have trodden. Not caring, 
therefore, what any of those shall censure, 
who are more apt to control than to consi- 
der, I commit this to God's blessing, and 
your favourable protection ; humbly beseech- 
ing your Majesty to accept of these our en- 
deavours, and praying God to sanctify both 
us and this work to his glory : wishing, also, 
most unfeignedly ? everlasting consolations to 



lvii 

your Majesty, for those temporal comforts 
you have vouchsafed me, and that felicity 
here, which may advance your happiness in 
the life to come. Amen. 



Your Majesty's 

Most loyal Subject, 

George Wither. 



A TABLE 

OF 

THE HYMNS AND SONGS 

CONTAINED 

BOTH IN THE FIRST ANB SECOND PART OF 
THIS BOOK; 

The first Number declaring ths Song, the second the Page. 

HYMNS 

Found in the Books of Moses, and in the other Booh 
of Holy Scripture, called Hagiographa. 

Song. Page. 

1 The first Song of Moses.. 2 

2 The second Song of Moses. 6 

3 The Song of Deborah, &c 14 

4 The Song of Hannah 24 

5 The Lamentation of David 2/ 

6 David's Thanksgiving 30 

7 Nehemiah's Prayer 33 

8 The Song of Lemuel 3/ 



The Song of Solomon, divided into ten Canticles, 

9 The first Canticle 42 

10 The second Canticle 46 



lx 

Song. Page. 

1 1 The third Canticle 49 

1 2 The fourth Canticle 52 

13 The fifth Canticle. . 55 

1 4 The sixth Canticle 60 

15 The seventh Canticle 63 

16 The eighth Canticle 66 

17 The ninth Canticle 70 

18 The tenth Canticle 75 

The Hymns found in the Books of the Prophets, 
with the Lamentations of Jeremiah. 

1 Q The first Song of Esai 79 

20 The second Song of Esai. 82 

21 The third Song of Esai 84 

22 The Prayer of Hezekiah go 

23 Hezekialfs Thanksgiving Q2 

24 The first Lamentation of Jeremiah . . ... g6 

25 The second Lamentation 104 

20 The third Lamentation Ill 

27 The fourth Lamentation 1 19 

28 The fifth Lamentation 1 24 

29 The Prayer of Daniel 1 28 

30 The Prayer of Jonah 133 

3 1 The Prayer of Habakuk 136 



lxi 

THE 

HYMNS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

Song. Page. 

32 The Song of our Lady, or Magnificat . . 143 

33 The Song of Zachary, or Benedictus ... 145 

34 The Song of Angels 14f 

35 The Song of Simeon 148 

3S The Song of the Lamb • 149 

The rest that make up the first part are these. 

37 The Ten Commandments 151 

38 The Lord's Prayer 154 

39 The Apostles Creed }55 

40 A Funeral Song -. . 157 

41 The Song of the Three Children 159 

42 The Song of St. Ambrose 1<52 

43 The Creed of Athanasius 1 65 

44 Come, Holy Ghost, or Veni Creator ... 1/0 



lxii 



THE SECOND PART 

OF THE 

HYMNS AND SONGS OF THE CHURCH. 



Spiritual Songs, 

Appropriated to those times, in which are comme- 
morated the principal Mysteries of Christian 
Religion, 

Song. Page. 

45 The Song for Advent : . . 1 78 

46 For Christmas 181 

47 Another for Christmas 182 

48 For the Circumcision 184 

49 For Twelfth Day. . , . . 186 

50 For the Purification 188 

51 The First Day of Lent 191 

52 The Annunciation ] 93 

53 Palm Sunday. . ., 195 

54 Thursday before Easter 198 

55 Good Friday 200 

56 Easter Day 206 

57 Ascension Day 208 

58 Whit Sunday - 211 

59 Trinity Sunday 214 

60 Sunday 219 



lxiii 

Spiritual Songs appropriated to the Saints Days, 
most observable throughout the year. 

Song. Page. 

61 For St. Andrew's Day 221 

(32 For St. Thomas's Day 222 

63 St. Stephen's Day 224 

64 St. John the Evangelist 226 

65 Innocents' Day 228 

66 The Conversion of St. Paul. 229 

67 St. Matthias's Day 231 

68 St. Mark's Day 233 

6Q St. Philip and Jacob's Day 235 

70 St. Barnabas's Day 237 

71 St. John Baptist's Day 239 

72 St. Peter's Day 241 

73 St. James's Day. 244 

74 St. Bartholomew's Day 246 

75 St. Matthew's Day 24/ 

76 St. Michael's Day 250 

77 St. Luke's Day 252 

78 Simon and Jude's Day 254 

79 All Saints' Day 256 



lxiv 

Spiritual Songs fitted for other Solemnities, and 
to praise God for public Benefits. 

Page 
S ° ng ' , 9f)2 

80 For Rogation Week 

81 St. George's Day , 26 J 

82 For Public Deliverances 2b 9 

83 For the Communion 2/ w 

84 For Ember Weeks • 282 

85 For seasonable Weather - 285 

86 For Plenty 287 

280 

87 For Peace . . • * 

201 

88 For Victory * 

89 For Deliverance from Public Sickness . . 2Q3 

90 For the King 295 



^••-wv^' 



THE FIRST PART 

OF THE 

HYMNS AND SONGS 

OF 

THE CHURCH. 

CONTAINING 

THOSE WHICH ARE TRANSLATED OUT OF THE 
CANONICAL SCRIPTURE, 

TOGETHER WITH 

SUCH OTHER HYMNS AND CREEDS, 

AS HAVE ANCIENTLY BEEN SUNG IN THE CHURCH 
OF BNGLAND. 



THE PREFACE. 

Plainly false is their supposition, who conceive 
that the Hymns, Songs, and Elegies of the Old 
Testament are impertinent to these later ages of the 
Church 5 for, neither the actions nor writings of the 
ancient Israelites, which are recorded by the Holy 
Spirit, were permitted to be done or written for 
their own sakes, so much as that they might be 
profitable to warn and instruct us of the latter times, 
according to St. Paul, 1 Cor. x. And, indeed, so 
much is not only testified by that Apostle, in the 

f 



lxvi 

place afore recited, and throughout the Epistle to 
the Hebrews, but the very names of those Persons 
and Places, mentioned in these Hymns and Songs, 
do manifest it, and far better express the nature of 
that which they mystically point out, than of what 
they are literally applied unto ; as those who will 
look into their proper significations shall apparently 
discover. That, therefore, these parcels of Holy 
Scripture (which are for the most part metre in 
their original tongue) may be the better remem- 
bered, to the glory of God ; and the oftener re- 
peated, to those ends for which they were written -, 
they are here disposed into lyric verse, and do 
make the First Part of this book; which book is 
called The Hymns and Songs of the Church ; not 
for that I would have it thought part of the Church's 
Liturgy, but because they are made in the person 
of all the faithful, and do (for the most part) treat 
of those things which cdncern the whole Catholic 
Church. 



THE FIRST SONG OF MOSES. 

Exod. xiii. 

This Song was composed and sung to praise the Lord 
for the Israelites 1 miraculous passage through the Red 
Sea, and for their delivery from those Egyptians who 
were there drowned. It may (and should also) be sung 
in the Christian congregations, or by their particular 
members, both with respect to the historical and mys- 
tical senses thereof: Historically, in commemoration 
of that particular deliverance, which God had so long 
ago and so wondrously vouchsafed to his persecuted 
and afflicted church : Mystically, in acknowledgement 
of our own powerful deliverance from the bondage of 
those spiritual adversaries, whereof those were the 
types : for Pharaoh (signifying Vengeance) typified our 
great enemy, who, with his host of temptations, afflic- 
tions, &c. pursueth us in our passage to the spiritual 
Canaan. The Red Sea represented our baptism, 1 Cor. 
x. 2. By the Dukes and Princes of Edom (mentioned 
in this Song) are prefigured those Powers and Friends 
of the kingdom of darkness, which are, or shall be, 
molested at the news of our regeneration : and there- 
fore this Hymn may very properly be used after the 
administration of baptism. 

B 



2 
THE FIRST SONG. 

1. 

Now shall the praises of the Lord be sung; 

For he a most renowned Triumph won : 

Both horse and man into the sea he flung ; 

And them together thus hath overthrown. 

The Lord is he whose strength doth make me strongs 

And he is my salvation and my song 5 

My God, for whom I will a house prepare, 

My father's God, whose praise I will declare. 



Well knows the Lord to war what doth pertain, 
The Lord Almighty is his glorious name : 
He Pharaoh's chariots, and his armed train, 
Amid the sea o'erwhelming, overcame : 
Those of his army that were most renown'd, 
He hath together in the Red Sea drown'd; 
The deeps a covering over them were thrown. 
And to the bottom sunk they like a stone. 

3. 

Lord, by thy power thy right hand famous grows ) 
Thy right hand, Lord, thy foe destroyed hath; 
Thy glory thy opposers overthrows, 
And stubble 'like consumes them in thy wrath. 



3 

A blast but from thy nostrils forth did go. 
And up together did the waters flow : 
Yea,, rolled up on heaps, the liquid flood 
Amid the sea., as if congealed, stood. 

4. 

I will pursue them (their pursuer cried) 

I will o'ertake them, and the spoil enjoy : 

My lust upon them shall be satisfied: 

With sword unsheath'd my hand shall them destroy. 

Then from thy breath a gale of wind was sentj 

The billows of the sea quite o'er them went : 

And they the mighty waters sunk into, 

E'en as a weighty piece of lead will do. 



Lord, who like thee among the gods is there! 
In holiness so glorious who may be ! 
Whose praises so exceeding dreadful are ! 
In doing wonders, who can equal thee I 
Thy glorious light hand thou on high didst rear, 
And in the earth they quickly swallowed were. 
But thou in mercy onward hast conveyed 
Thy people,, whose redemption thou hast paid, 

6. 

Them by thy strength thou hast been pleas'd to bear 
Unto a holy dwelling-place of thine : 
B 2 



The nations at report thereof shall fear, 
And grieve shall they that dwell in Palestine. 
On Edom's princes shall amazement fall \ 
The mighty men of Moab tremble shall; 
And such as in the land of Canaan dwell, 
Shall pine away, of this when they hear tell. 

7- 

They shall be seized with a dreadful fear. 
Stone-quiet thy right hand shall make them be, 
Till passed over, Lord, thy people are ; 
Till those pass over, that were bought by thee. 
For thou shalt make them to thy hill repair, 
And plant them there (O Lord) where thou art heir \ 
E'en there, where thou thy dwelling hast prepar'd, 
That holy place, which thine own hands have rear'd. 

8. 

The Lord shall ever and for ever reign 

His sovereignty shall never have an end ; 

For when as Pharaoh did into the main, 

With chariots and with horsemen, down descend, 

The Lord did back again the sea recall, 

And with those waters overwhelm'd them all. 

But through the very inmost of the same 

The seed of Israel safe and dry-shod came. 



THE SECOND SONG OF MOSES. 

Deut. xxiih 

This Song was given by God himself, to be taught 
the Jews, that it might remain as a witness against 
them when they should forget his benefits. For it 
appears the Divine Wisdom knew that when the Law 
would be lost or forgotten, a Song might be remem- 
bered to posterity. In this Hymn (heaven and earth 
being called to witness) the Prophet makes first a nar- 
ration of the Jews* perverseness, and then delivereth 
prophetically three principal things, wherein divers 
other particulars are considerable. The first is a pre- 
diction of the Jews' idolatry, with the punishments of 
it. The second is their hatred to Christ, with their 
abjection. And the last is of the calling of the Gen- 
tiles. We, therefore, that have by faith and experi- 
ence seen the success of what is herein foretold, ought 
to sing it often, in remembrance of God's justice and 
mercy. And (seeing we are all apt enough to become 
forgetful of our Redeemer's favour as they) we should, 
by the repetition hereof, seek to stir up our considera- 
tions, that (as St. Paul counselleth) we might the 
better meditate the goodness and severity of God, &c. 
for if he hath not spared the natural branches, let us 
t3ke heed, as the same Apostle adviseth, Rom. xi. 24. 



SONG II. 

Sing this, as the First Song. 

1. 

To what I speak, an ear, ye heavens, lend, 
And hear, thou earth, what words I utter will : 
Like drops of rain my speeches shall descend, 
And as the dew my doctrine shall distil, 
Like to the smaller rain on tender flowers, 
And as upon the grass the greater showers 5 
For I the Lord's great name will publish now, 
That so our God may praised be of you. 

2. 

He is that Rock, whose works perfection afej 
For all his ways with judgment guided be : 
A God of truth, from all wrong- doing clear, 
A truly just and righteous-one is he. 
Though they themselves dehTd, unlike his sons, 
And are a crooked race of froward ones. 
Oh mad and foolish nation! why dost thou 
Thyself unto the Lord so thankless show ? 



Thy Father and Redeemer, is not he ? 

Hath he not made, and now conflrnVd thee fast ? 



7 

Oh call to mind the days that older be, 

And weigh. the years of many ages past ! 

For if thy father, he will tell, 

Thy elders also can inform thee well, 

How he (the High'st) did Adam's sons divide, 

And shares for every family did provide. 



And how the nation's bounds he did prepare, 

In number with the sons of Israel. 

For in his people had the Lord his share, 

And Jacob for his part allotted fell : 

Whom finding in a place possest of none, 

(A desert vast, untilled, and unknown) 

He taught them there; he led them far and nigh 5 

And kept them as the apple of his eye. 

5. 

E'en as an eagle, to provoke her young, 
About her nest doth hover here and there, 
Spread forth her wings to train her birds along, 
And sometimes on her back her younglings bear: 
Right so the Lord conducted them alone, 
When for his aid strange God with him was none. 
Then on the high lands of the earth he set, 
Where they the plenties of the field might eat. 



8 

6. 

For them he made the rock with honey flow, 
He drained oil from stones, and them did feed 
With milk of sheep, with butter of the cow, 
With goats, fat lambs, and rams of Bashan breed. 
The finest of the wheat he made their food, 
And of the grape they drank the purest blood : 
But, here withal, unthankful Israel 
So fat became, he kicked with his heel. 

t 
Grown fat, and with their grossness covered o'er, 
Their God, their Maker, they did soon forsake : 
Their Rock of health regarded was no more, 
But with strange Gods him jealous they did make. 
To move his wrath they hateful things devis'd $ 
To devils in his stead they sacrinVd ; 
To Gods unknown, that new invented were, 
And such as their forefathers did not fear. 

8. 

They minded not the Rock who them begat, 
But quite forgot the God that form'd them hath ; 
Which when the Lord perceiv'd, it made him hate 
His sons and daughters, moving him to wrath. 
To mark their end, said he, I'll hide my face, 
For they are faithless sons of froward race -, 



9 

My wrath, with what is not a God. they move, 
And my displeasure with their follies prove. 

And I, by those that are no people, yet 
Their wrathful jealousy will move for this 5 
And by a foolish nation make them fret 5 
For, in my wrath, a fire inflamed is, 
And down to hell the earth consume it shall, 
E'en to the mountains' bottoms, fruit and all. 
In heaps upon them mischiefs will I throw, 
And shoot mine arrows till I have no mo'. 

10. 

With hunger parched, and consum'd with heat, 
I will enforce them to a bitter end 5 
The teeth of beasts upon them will I set, 
And will the poisonous dust- fed serpent send. 
The sword without, and fear within, shall slay; 
Maids, young men, babes, and him whose hair is gray. 
Yea, I had vowed to spread them here, and there 5 
Then might forget that such a people were. 

11. 

But this the foe compelFd me to delay, 
Lest that their adversaries (prouder grown) 
Should (when they beard it) thus presume to say, 



10 

This, not the Lord, but our high hand hath done. 
For in this people no discretion is ; 
Nor can their dulness reach to judge of this. 
O had they wisdom this to comprehend, 
That so they might bethink them of their end. 



12. 



How should one make a thousand run away, 
Or two men put ten thousand to the foil, 
Except their Rock had sold them for a prey, 
And that the Lord had clos'd them up the while 5 
For though our foes themselves the judges were, 
Their God they cannot with our God compare : 
But they have vines like those that Sodom yields, 
And such as are within Gomorrha fields. 

13. 

They bear the grapes of gall upon their vine ; 
Extremely bitter are their clusters all ; 
Yea, made of dragon's venom is their wine, 
And of the cruel asp's infectious gall. 
And can this (ever) be forgot of me ? 
Or not be sealed where my treasures be ? 
Sure, mine is vengeance ; and I wi'! repay; 
Their feet shall slide at their appointed day. 



11 



14. 

Their time of ruin near at hand is come ; 

Those things that shall befall them haste will make 3 

For then the Lord shall give his people doom, 

And on his servants kind compassion take, 

When he perceives their strength bereft and gone, 

And that in prison they are left alone. 

Where are their gods become? he then shall say 5 

Their rock, in whom affiance they did lay ? 

15. 

Who ate the fattest of their sacrifice ? 
Who of their drink-oblations drank the wine? 
Let those unto their succour now arise, 
And under their protection them enshrine. 
Behold, consider now that I am He, 
And that there is no other God with me. 
I kill, and make alive ; I wound, I cure ; 
And there is none can from my hand assure. 

]§. 

For up to heav'n on high my hand I rear, 
And (as I live for ever) this I say, 
When I my shining sword to whet prepare* 
And shall my hand to acting vengeance lay, 
I will not cease till I my foes requite, 
And am aveng'd on all that bear me spite t 



12 

But in their blood, which I shall make to flow, 
Will steep mine arrows, till they drunken grow. 

17. 

My sword shall eat the flesh and blood of those. 
Who shall be either slain or brought in thrall, 
When I begin this vengeance on my foes. 
Sing, therefore, with his people, nations all ! 
For he his servants' blood with blood will pay,, 
And due avengement on his foes will lay. 
But to his land compassion he will show, 
And on his people mercy shall bestow. 



Sfe^a^^^^s^s^^v.^ 



13 



THE 

SONG OF DEBORAH AND BARAK, 

Judges v. 

This Hymn was composed to glorify God for the 
great overthrow given to Sisera, who coming armed 
with many hundred chariots of iron against the poor 
oppressed Israelites (when they had not a sword or 
spear among forty thousand of them) was nevertheless 
miraculously discomfited 5 to shew the unbelieving peo- 
ple that the Lord only is the God of battles, and that 
he is both able, and doth often, deliver his Church 
without the ordinary means. By the repetition here- 
of we praise God, in commemorating one of the 
great deliverances heretofore vouchsafed to his Church. 
And in these times of fear and wavering, we may 
also, by this memorable example of God's providence, 
strengthen our faith, which is many times weakened 
by the outward power, prosperity, or vain boastings 
of the Church's adversaries, who shall (doubtless) be 
at last shamefully ruined (according to the prophetical 
imprecation concluding this Song), notwithstanding 
their many likelihoods of prevailing. Yea, then per- 



14 



haps shall that destruction come on them, to God's 
greater glory, when our estate seems to be most 
desperate. 



SONG III. 



Sing praises, Israel, to the Lord, 
That thee avenged so, 
When to the fight, with free accord, 
The people forth did go. 

You Kings, give ear, 

You Princes, hear, 
While to the Lord I raise 

My voice aloud, 

And sing to God, 
The Lord of Israel, praise. 

2. 

When thou departedst, Lord, from Seir, 
When thou left'st Edom field, 
Earth shook, the heavens dropped there, 
The clouds did water yield. 



15 

Lord, at thy sight, 
A trembling fright 

Upon the mountains fell : 
E'en at thy look 
Mount Sinai shook, 

Lord God of Israel. 



Not long ago, in Shamghar's days, 
Did Anath's valiant son \ 
And late in Jael's time, the ways 
Frequented were of none : 

The passengers 

Were wanderers 
In crooked paths unknown -, 

And none durst dwell 

Through Israel, 
But in a walled town. 

4. 

Until I, Deborah, arose 

(Who rose a mother there) 

In Israel, when new Gods they chose, 

That fill'd their gates with war -, 

And they had there 

Nor shield nor spear 
In their possession then, 



16 

To arm for fight 
One Israelite 
'Mong forty thousand men. 

5. 

To those that Israel's Captains are 
My heart doth much incline ; 
To those, I mean, that willing were ; 
O Lord ! the praise be thine. 

Sing ye for this, 

Whose use it is 
To ride on asses gray, 

All ye that yet 

In Middin set, 
Or travel by the way. 

6. 

The place where they their waters drew, 
From archers now is clear \ 
The Lord's uprightness they shall shew, 
And his just dealing there. 

The hamlets all 

Through Israel shall 
His righteousness record ; 

And down unto 

The gates shall go 
The people of the Lord, 



17 

Arise, O Deboarah, arise, 
Rise, rise, and sing a song $ 
Abinoam's son, O Barak, rise 5 
Thy captives haste along : 

Their princes all 

By him made thrall, 
To the survivor be, 

To triumph on 

The Mighty One, 
The Lord vouchsafed me. 

8. 

A root, from out of Ephraim 
'Gainst Amalek arose, 
And (of the people) next to him 
The Benjamites were those. 

From Machir (where 

Good leaders are) 
Came well experienc'd men : 

And they came down, 

From Zabulon, 
That handle well the pen, 

9- 

Along with Deborah did go 
The Lords of Isachar j 



18 

With Isachar, e'en Barak too, 
Was one among them there. 
He forth was sent, 
And marching went 
On foot the lower way. 
For Reuben (where 
Divisions were) 
Right thoughtful hearts had they. 

10. 

The bleating of the flocks to hear, 
O wherefore didst thou stay! 
For Reuben s (where divisions were) 
Right thoughtful hearts had they. 
But why did they 
Of Gilead stay 
On Jordan's other side? 

And wherefore then 

Didst thou, O Dan, 

Within thy tents abide? 

11. 

Among his harbours, lurking by 
The sea-side, Asherlay; 
But Zabulon and Nephthali 
Kept not themselves away. 

They people are, 

Who fearless dare 



19 

Their lives to death expose $ 

And did not yeild 

The hilly field, 
Though Kings did them oppose. 

12. 

With them the Canaanitish kings 
At Tana'ch fought that day, 
Close by Megiddo's water-springs, 
Yet bore no prize away. 

For, lo! the stars 

Fought in their spheres 5 
'Gainst Sisera fought they. 

And some (by force) 

The water- course 
Of Kishon swept away. 

13. 

E'en Kishon river, which was long 
A famous torrent known. 
Oh, thou, my soul ! oh, thou, the strong 
Hast bravely trodden down. 

Their horse (whose pace 

So lofty was) 
Their hoofs with prancing wound ; 

Those of the strong, 

That kick'd and flung, 
And fiercely beat the ground. 



20 

14. 
A heavy curse on Meroz lay ; 
Curst be her dwellers all. 
The Angel of the Lord did say, 
That city curse you shall. 
And, therefore, this 
Accursing is: 
They came not to the fight, 
To help the Lord 
(To help the Lord) 
Against the men of might. 

15. 

But, blest be Jael, Heber's spouse, 
The Kenite; blest be she, 
More than all women are, of those 
That use in tents to be. 

To him did she 

Give milk, when he 
Did water only wish $ 

And butter set, 

For him to eat, 
Upon a lordly dish. 

16. 
She in her left hand took a nail, 
And rais'd up in the right 



21 

A workman's hammer, wherewithal 
She Sisera did smite 5 

His head she took, 
When she had struck 
His pierced temples through ; 
He fell withal, 
And in the fall 
He at her feet did bow. 

17. 

He at her feet did bow his head. 
Fell down, and life forsook. 
Meanwhile his longing mother did 
From out her window look; 

Thus crying at 

The latticed grate, 
' Why stays his chariot so, 

From hasting home ? 

Oh! wherefore come 
His chariot wheels so slow V 

18. 

As thus she spake, her ladies wise 
To her an answer gave $ 
Yea, to herself, herself replies ; 
' Sure, sped (saith she) they have : 



22 

And all this while 
They part the spoil ; 

A damsel, one or tway, 
Each homeward bears. 
And Sisera shares 

A party-coloured prey. 

19. 

Of needle-work, both sides of it 
In divers colours are : 
E'en such as doth his neck befit, 
That useth spoils to wear.' 
So, Lord, still so 
Thy foes o'erthrow 5 
But who in thee delight, 
Oh let them be 
Sun-like, when he 
Ascendeth in his might. 



23 

THE SONG OF HANNAH. 

1 Sam. ii. 1. 

Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, being barren, and 
therefore upbraided (and vexed by Peninnah, her 
husband's other wife) prayed unto the Lord for a 
Son ; and having obtained him, glorified God in this 
Song, for delivering her from the contempt of her 
adversaries. By Hannah (which signifieth Grace, or 
Gracious) was the Church of Christ represented : and 
by Peninnah (signifying Despised, or Forsaken) was 
figured the Jewish Synagogue : this Song, therefore, 
is to be understood as a mystical prophecy of that 
abjection of the Jews, and calling of the Gentiles, 
which was fulfilled upon the birth of Jesus Christ, 
our true Samuel; at whose conception the blessed 
Virgin Mary, in her Magnificat, acknowledged the 
verifying of many particulars foretold in this Song) 
even almost in the same words. In memorial, there- 
fore, of these mysteries, we ought to sing this Hymn, 
to comfort us, also, against the pride and arrogancy of 
those who, by reason of their multitudes, shall scorn 
and upbraid the true Church, as mother only of a few 
and obscure children. And we may use it likewise to 
praise God for that fruitfulness which he hath given 



24 

to our Holy Mother, who hath lately had many child- 
ren advanced to be Kings, and to sit on the most 
eminent thrones of glory in the earth, according to 
this prophetical Song. 

SONG IV. 

1. 

Now in the Lord my heart doth pleasure take 5 
My horn is in the Lord advanced high : 
And to my foes an answer I will make, 
Because in his salvation joy'd am I. 
Like him there is not any Holy One 5 
And other Lord beside him there is none. 

2. 

Nor like our God another God is there ; 

So proudly vaunt not, then, as heretofore $ 

But let your tongues from henceforth now forbear 

All vain presuming words for evermore. 

For why ? the Lord is God, who all things knows, 

And doth each purpose to his end dispose. 

3. 

Now broken is their bow that once were stout j 
And girt with vigour they that stumbled are. 



£5 

The full themselves for bread have hired out, 
Which now they need not do, that hungry were. 
The barren womb doth seven children o'vn. 
And she that once had many, weak is grown. 

4. 

The Lord doth slay; and he revives the slain ; 

He to the grave doth bring, and back he bears. 
The Lord makes poor, and rich he makes again ; 
He throweth down, and up on high he rears. 
He from the dust and from the dunghill brings 
The beggar and the poor, to sit with Kings. 

5. 

He rears them to inherit glory's throne ; 

For why? the Lord's the earth's upholders are : 

The world hath he erected thereupon ; 

He to the footing of his saints hath care ; 

But dumb in darkness sinners shall remain, 

For in their strength shall men be strong in vain. 

6. 

The Lord will to destruction bring them all, 
(E'en every one) that shall with him contend. 
From out of heav'n he thunder on them shall, 
And judge the world unto the farthest end. 
With strength and power his king he will supply, 
And raise the horn of his Anointed high. 



26 



THE LAMENTATION OF DAVID OVER 
SAUL AND JONATHAN HIS SON. 

2 Sam. i. 17. 

In this funeral Elegy David bewaileth the death of 
Saul and Jonathan ; from whence these observa- 
tions may be collected. First, that the slaughter of 
a valiant Prince is an outward blemish, and just 
cause of sorrow in the State. Secondly, that the 
insulting of an adversary is not the least affliction. 
Thirdly, that the mountains of Gilboa are accursed 
to this day 5 for by Gilboa (which is interpreted 
slippery or inconstant) is mystically understood that 
irresolution or despair, by which men fall into the 
power of their spiritual adversary. Fourthly, we 
hence may learn to commemorate those things which 
are praise- worthy, even in our enemy. Lastly, it 
sheweth us that wise and good men may tender one 
friend more affectionately than another j and that if 
it misbeseems them not to bewail their death. This 
is to be sung historically for our instruction in the 
particulars beforementioned 5 and may be observed 
as a pattern for our funeral poems. 



27 

SONG V. 

1. 

Thy beauty, Israel, is gone 5 

Slain in the places high is he 5 

The mighty now are overthrown ; 

O thus how cometh it to be ! 

Let not this news their streets throughout, 

In Gath or Askalon, be told ; 

For far Philistia's daughters flout, 

Lest vaunt the uncircumcised should. 



On you, hereafter, let no dew, 
You mountains of Gilboa, fall : 
Let there be neither showers on you, 
Nor fields that breed an offering shall. 
For there with shame away was thrown 
The target of the strong (alas), 
The shield of Saul, e'en as of one, 
That ne'er with oil anointed was. 

3. 

Nor from their blood that slaughtered lay, 
Nor from the fat of strong men slain, 
Came Jonathan his bow away, 
Nor drew forth Saul his sword in vain. 



28 

In lifetime they were lovely fair, 
In death they undivided are. 
More swifi than eagles of the air, 
And stronger they than lions were. 

4. 

Weep, Israel's daughters, weep for Saul, 
Who you with scarlet hath array'd; 
Who clothed you with pleasures all, 
And on your garments gold hath laid. 
How comes it he, that mighty was, 
The foil in battle doth sustain! 
Thou, Jonathan, oh thou (alas) 
Upon thy places high wert slain ! 

5. 

And much distressed is my heart, 
My brother Jonathan, for thee ; 
My very dear delight thou wert, 
And wondrous was thy love to me : 
So wondrous, it surpassed far 
The love of women (every way). 
Oh, how the mighty fallen are ! 
How warlike instruments decay ! 



29 
DAVID'S THANKSGIVING. 

1 Chron. xxix. 10. 

King David having, by persuasions and his own 
liberal example, stirred up the people to a bountiful 
benevolence toward the building of God's House, 
praised him for that willing and cheerful free-offer- 
ing. And in this thanksgiving we observe this me- 
thod : First, he acknowledge th God's Blessedness, 
Greatness, Power, Glory, Victoiy, Majesty, Bounty, 
with the like -, and confesseth in general that Ho- 
nour and Riches, Strength, with all other good 
things, are at the Almighty's disposing. Secondly, 
he therefore praiseth the Lord, and acknowledged! 
also, that his and the people's willingness to give, 
came not of themselves, but was God's own proper 
gift (as well as that which they had given). Lastly, 
he prayeth for the continuance of God's blessing, 
both upon their purposes and endeavours ; and that 
their benevolence may be disposed to that end for 
which it was given. This Song may be very properly 
used, whensoever among us there hath been any 
free and liberal contributions to good and pious ends. 
And to fit the same the better to such purposes, 
the persons and some few circumstances are a little 
changed in this translation. 



30 

SONG VI. 

Sing this as the Fifth Song. 

1. 

Oh, Lord, our everlasting God ! 

Bliss, Greatness, Power,, and Praise is thine . 

With thee have conquests their abode, 

And glorious Majesty divine. 

All things that earth and heaven afford, 

Thou at thine own disposing hast. 

To thee belongs the kingdom, Lord, 

And thou for head o'er all art plac'd. 

2. 

Thou wealth and honour dost command ; 
To thee made subject all things be : 
Both strength and power are in thine hand. 
To be disposed as pleaseth thee. 
And now to thee, our God, therefore, 
A Song of Thankfulness we frame ; 
That what we owe we may restore^ 
And glorify thy glorious Name. 

3. 

But what, or who, are we (alas) 
That we in giving are so free ! 



31 

Thine own before, our offering was, 
And all we have we have from thee. 
For we are guests and strangers here, 
As were our fathers in thy sight ; 
Our days but shadow-like appear, 
And suddenly they take their flight. 

4. 

This offering, Lord our God, which thus 
We for thy namesake have bestown, 
Derived was from thee to us $ 
And that we give is all thine own. 
Oh God ! thou prov'st the heart, we know, 
And dost affect uprightness there ; 
With gledness, therefore, we bestow 
What we have freely offered here. 

5. 

Still thou (O Lord our God) incline 
Their meanings, who the people be 3 
And ever let the hearts of thine 
Be thus prepared unto thee. 
Yea, give us perfect hearts, we pray, 
That we thy precepts err not from , 
And grant, our contribution may 
An honour to thy name become ! 



S2 

THE PRAYER OF NEHEMIAH. 

Nehem. i. 5. 

Nehemiah, determining (as the story sheweth) to 
move Artaxerxes for the repairs of the City and the 
House of the Lord, first made this Prayer, where- 
in, having acknowledged the Majesty, Justice, and 
Mercy of God, he confesseth the heinousness of 
his and his people's sins ; desire th forgiveness ; en- 
treateth for the people's deliverance from captivity 5 
and requesteth he may find favour in the sight of 
the King his master. Now we who by regenera- 
tion are the sons of Israel (and such as in a spirituul 
sense, may be said also to be dispersed among the 
heathen, as often as we are carried captive by the 
heathenish concupiscenses and vanities of the world) 
even we may, in a literal sense, make use of this 
excellent form of confession, before our several pe- 
titions. And doubtless a faithful using of these, the 
Holy Ghost's own words (with remembrance of 
the happy success they heretofore had) will much 
strengthen and increase the hope, confidence, and 
comfort of him that prayeth; who, changing the 
two last lines only, may appropriate it to any neces- 
sity. For example, if it be to be sung before labour, 
conclude it thus, " and be thou pleased, O Lord, to 



33 

bless our labours with a good success.** If before 
a journey, thus, " And, Lord, all dangers keep us 
from, — Both going forth and coming home.'* If 
before a battle, thus, " And be thou pleased, in 
the fight, — To make us victors by thy might.*' If 
in the time of famine, thus, €( And, Lord, vouch- 
safe thou, in this need, — Our souls and bodies both 
to feed." If before a sermon, &c. thus, <c And 
grant that we, Lord, in thy fear, — May to our pro- 
fit speak and hear.'' And the like, as occasion 
requires. 

»<«« « «««^<«m 

SONG VII. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song, 

1. - 

Lord God of Heav'n! who only art 
The Mighty God, and foil of fear; 
Who never promise-breaker were, 
But ever shewing mercy there, 
When men affection bear to thee, 
And of thy laws observers be. 



Give ear, and ope thine eyes, I pray, 
That heard thy servants suit may be; 

D 



Made in thy presence night and day. 
For Israel's seed, that serveth thee, 
For Israel's seed, who (I confess) 
Against thee grievously transgress. 

3. 

I and my father's house did sin ; 
Corrupted all our actions be ; 
And disrespective we have been 
Of statutes, judgements, and decree : 
Of these, which to retain so fast, 
Thy servant Moses charged thou hast. 

4. 

yet remember thou, I pray, 

These words, which thou didst heretofore 

Unto thy servant Moses say. 

If e'er (saidst thou) they vex me more, 

1 will disperse them every where, 
Among the nations here and there. 

5. 

But if to me they shall convert, 
To do those things my law contain, 
Though spread to heav'n's extremest part, 
I would collect them thence again, 
And bring them there to make repose, 
Where I to place my name have chose. 



35 

6. 

Now these thy people are (of right) 
Thy servants who to thee belong, 
Whom thou hast purchased by thy might, 
And by thine arm exceeding strong; 
Oh ! let thine ear, Lord, I thee pray, 
Attentive be to what I say. 

7. 

The prayer of thy servant hear, 
Oh, hear thy servants when they pray, 
Who willing are thy name to fear ! 
Thy servant prosper thou to day; 
And be thou pleas'd to grant that he 
May favour'd in thy presence be ! 



D 2 



36 

THE SONG OF KING LEMUEL. 

Prov. xxxi. 10. 

This Song is alphabetical in the original. It con- 
tains an admirable description of a good wife; and 
these three things are here principally considered ; 
the advantage her husband receiveth by her ; the 
commendable virtues she hath in herself ; and the 
reward that follows her. Her husband's advan- 
tages are these : A quiet heart, free from jealousy 
and distrust of her; a rich estate, without oppress- 
ing others ; and place of honour in the common- 
wealth. Her \irtues are industry, providence, cheer- 
fulness, courage, and unweariedness in providing 
for and disposing of her temporal affairs. More- 
over, continual love to her husband; liberality to 
the poor; government of her tongue ;' and needful- 
ness to those courses her household takes. Her 
reward is this; her husband is confident in her; 
she shall have comfort of her labours; her pos- 
terity shall bless her; her husband shall praise her 
above other women ; she shall be honoured in life, 
and have joy at her death. — It is indeed an excel- 
lent Marriage Song, fit to be used at the solemniz- 
ing of those rites ; for it minis tereth instruction be- 



S7 

coming that occasion : yea, perhaps the music of it 
would stir up good affections also (where unpleasing 
discords are now heard) if it were often sung in 
private families. 

SONG VIII. 

Sing this as the Sixth Song. 

i 1. 

Who finds a woman good and wise, 
A gem more worth than pearls hath got 5 
Her husband's heart on her relies 5 
To live by spoil he needeth not. 
His comfort all his life is she ; 
No wrong she willingly will do 5 
For wool and flax her searches be, 
And cheerful hands she puts thereto. 

2. 

The merchant ship resembling right, 
Her food she from afar doth bring, 
Ere day she wakes, that give she might 
Her maids their task, her household meat, 
A field she views, and that she buys 5 



38 

Her hand doth plant a vineyard there $ 
Her loins with courage up she ties, 
Her arms with vigour strengthened are. 

3. 
If in her work she profit feel, 
By night her candle goes not out : 
She puts her finger to the wheel, 
Her hand the spindle twirls about. 
To such as poor and needy are 
Her hand (yea, both hands) reacheth she. 
The winter none of hers doth fear, 
For double-cloth'd her household be. 

4. 

She mantles maketh, wrought by hand. 
And silk and purple clothing gets. 
Among the rulers of the land 
(Known in the gate) her husband sits. 
For sale fine linen weaveth she, 
And girdle to the merchant sends. 
Renown and strength her clothings be, 
And joy her later time attends. 

5. 

She speaks discreetly when she talks ; 
The law of grace her tongue hath learn' d ; 



39 

She heeds the way her household takes, 
And feedeth not on bread unearn'd. 
Her children rise, and bless her call : 
Her husband thus applaudeth her, 
Oh, thou hast far surpass'd them all, 
Though many daughters thriving are ! 

6. 

Deceitful favour quickly wears, 
And Beauty suddenly decays ; 
That woman well deserveth praise, 
The fruit her handiwork obtains : 
Without repining grant her that, 
And yield her what her labours gain, 
To do her honour in the gate. 



#t^> 



40 



THE SONG OF SONGS. 

THE PREFACE. 

Such is the mercy of God, that he taketh advan- 
tage even of our natural affections, to beget in our 
souls an apprehension of his love, and of the mys- 
teries which tend to our true happiness 5 so fitting 
his divine expressions to the several inclinations of 
men, that means might be provided to win some 
of all. For otherwhile he doth it by comparing the 
same to the glories of a temporal kingdom, to win 
such as are most desirous of honours. Sometimes 
he illustrates it by treasures, gold, and precious 
stones., &c. the better to allure such as are tempted 
with things of that nature. And divers other ways 
also, as appears throughout the book of God. But 
in this Song of Solomon (wherein is mystically ex- 
pressed the mutual affection betwixt Christ and his 
Church, with the chief passages thereof throughout 
all ages, from Abel to the last judgment, at which 
time their blessed marriage shall be fully consum- 
mated), he doth most movingly impart unto us 
the ravishing contentments of the divine love, by 
comparing it to that delight which is conceived in 
the strongest, the commonest, the most pleasing, 



41 

the most natural,, and the most commendable of 
our affections. And doubtless it powerfully prevail- 
eth to the enflaming their spiritual love, who seek 
rightly to understand and apply the mysteries and 
expressions herein contained. Let no man, there- 
fore, presume to sing, or repeat in a carnal sensey, 
what is here spiritually intended, upon pain of God's 
heavy indignation. Nor let the wisdom of flesh 
and blood vainly neglect God's favour, in offering 
this for the comfort of such as will rightly apply 
the same : because some atheists and sensual men 
shall perhaps turn this grace of God into wanton- 
ness, to their own condemnation. 



THE FIRST CANTICLE. 

In this Canticle is first expressed that longing which 
the whole Catholic Church had for the embraces of 
her Redeemer (from the time of Abel till his first 
coming), with her acknowledgment of his ravish- 
ing excellencies ; her desire to be drawn after him ; 
and her confession of that joyful happiness which 
w r ill arise from his favours. Secondly, the particu- 
lar Church of the Gentiles is brought in, entreat- 
ing an undespised union with the Synagogue of the 



42 

Jews,, both confessing and excusing her blemishes. 
Thirdly, the whole Catholic Church is again intro- 
duced, as desiring to be fed and guided by her be- 
loved Shepherd. Fourthly, her petition is most 
graciously answered, and she directed to follow the 
steps of the holy Patriarchs and Prophets. Finally, 
Christ setteth forth the power and rich graces of 
his Spouse, with what other ornaments he will pre- 
pare for her. This Canticle we may sing to the 
stirring up of our spiritual love ; having first se- 
riously meditated these things, to wit, That desire 
we ought to have in our souls to be joined to Christ; 
the excellency of his perfections ; the backwardness 
of our human nature to entertain his love ; the de- 
formity and damage we sustain a till we be received 
into the communion of saints ; the readiness of Christ 
to receive and direct us 5 the pleasure he will take 
in our love; and the provision he will make for the 
further beautifying of our souls. 



SONG IX. 



Come, kiss me with those lips of thine ; 
Far better are thy loves than wine; 
And as the powered ointments be, 



43 

Such is the savor of thy name. 
And for the sweetness of the same. 
The virgins are in love with thee. 

2. 

Begin but thou to draw me on, 
And then we after thee will run 3 

Oh, King, thy chambers bring me to; 
So we in thee delight shall find, 
And more than wine thy love will find, 

And love thee as the righteous do. 

3. 

And, daughters of Jerusalem, 
I pray you do not me contemn, 

Because that black I now appear 3 
For I as lovely am (I know) 
As Kedar tents (appear in show) 

Or Solomon his curtains are. 



Though black I am, regard it not 5 
It is but sun-beam I have got, 

Whereof my mother's sons were cause ; 
Their vineyard keeper me they made, 
(Through envy which to me they had) 

So mine own vine neglected was. 



44 

5. 

Thou whom my soul doth best affect, 
Unto thy pastures me direct, 

Where thou at noon art stretch' d along 5 
For why should I be straggling spied, 
Like her that loves to turn aside, 

Thy fellow shepherds' flocks among ? 

6. 

Oh, fairest of all woman kind ! 

(If him thou know not where to find) 

Go where the paths of cattle are ; 
Their tracks of footsteps stray not from, 
Till to the shepherds* tents thou come, 

And feed thy tender kidlings there. 

V 

My love thou art, of greater force 
Than Pharaoh's troops of chariot horse $ 

Thy cheeks and neck made lovely be, 
With rows of stones, and many a chain, 
And two gold borders well ordain, 

Beset with silver studs for thee. 

*►►►► ►►►►»►► * 



45 



THE SECOND CANTICLE. 

This Song seemeth to set forth the mystery of 
Christ his Incarnation, whereby the Church's first 
petition (mentioned in the former Cantide) is ?e- 
complisheci. And herein these particulars appfear 

to be mystically expressed : — His birth and repose 
between the two Testaments, with his sweet and 
sanctifying operations. Secondly, the Church's ac- 
knowledgment of her Redeemer's beauty, inno- 
cency, and delightfulness; with how pleasant and 
incorruptible an habitation is prepared for these 
lovers •, and what excellent privileges she hath by 
his favour. Thirdly,, Christ and his Church do (as 
two lovers) interchangeably prefer one another be- 
fore all others, by way of comparison. Fourthly, 
the spouse's spiritual love-sick passions are express- 
ed. And lastly (she having declared how she is en- 
closed in his embraces), there is warning given that 
their sweet union be not disturbed. — This Canticle 
may be properly sung upon the feast of Christ's Na- 
tivity, or at any other time 5 we having first pre- 
pared ourselves by a fruitful meditating the particu- 
lar mysteries of the Song. 



AG 

SONG X. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song. 

1. 

While that the King was at repast, 
Thy Spikenard his perfumings cast ; 

And 'twixt my breasts repos'd my dearj 
My love, who is as sweet to me 
As myrrh or camphor bundles be, 

Which as Engeddi vineyards are. 

2. 

Lo, thou art fair ; lo thou, my love ! 
Art fair, and eyed like the dove ! 

Thou fair and pleasant art, my dear ; 
And lo, our bed with flowers is s trowed, 
Our house is beam'd with cedar wood, 

And of the fir our rafters are. 

3. 

I am the Rose that Sharon yields, 
The Rose and Lily of the fields $ 

And, flower of all the dales below, 
My love among the daughters shows, 
As when a sweet and beauteous rose 

Amid her bush of thorns doth grow. 



47 



4. 



Among the sons, such is my dear, 
As doth an apple-tree appear, 

Within a shrubby forest plac't $ 
I sat me down beneath his shade, 
(Whereto a great desire I had) 

Arid sweet his fruit was to my taste. 



Me to his banquet-house he bare, 
E'en where his wine provisions are, 

And there his love my banner was$ 
With flagons, me from fainting stay, 
With apples comfort me, I pray, 

For I am sick of love (alas) ! 

6. 

My head with his left hand he stay'd, 
His right hand over me he laid ; 

And by the harts and roes (said he) 
You, daughters of Jerusalem, 
Stir not (for you I charge by them) 

Nor wake my love, till pleas'd she be. 



48 



THE THIRD CANTICLE. 

By contemplating this Canticle we may be mys- 
tically informed of Christ's calling his Church in 
the apostles, and of her estate in the beginning of 
Christianity, when he went from place to place (as 
a hind over the mountains), to further the work of 
our redemption, moving his disciples (and in them 
his Church) to follow him, by shewing his divinity 
a little and a little (as it were) through the grate 
and from behind the wall of his humanity. More- 
over, the spring-like season of the Gospel, after the 
cloudy and winter-like time under the law, is here 
set forth. And then the Church, having petitioned 
that the curtains of the ceremonial law might be so 
drawn away, as that she may both hear and see her 
Beloved in his unvailed perfections ; she requesteth 
also, that the sly enemies of his vineyard may be 
destroyed. She rejoiceth likewise in their mutual 
looks j and prayeth him, that whilst the day of 
grace lasteth, she may on all occasions enjoy his 
speedy consolations. Lastly, the Church confesseth 
how blindly she sought Christ during the night of 
the law; how diligently (and through what afflic- 
tions) she searched after him 5 how at length she 
found him 5 where also, and with what affections, 



49 

she entertained him 5 and so concludes,, as in the 
former Canticle. It ought therefore to be sung 
with reverence, and consideration of the mysteries 
therein contained. 

SONG XT. 

Sing this as the Fifth Song. 

1. 

I hear my Love, and him I see 
Come leaping by the mountains there 5 
Lo, o'er the hillocks trippeth he, 
And roe or stag-like doth appear. 
Lo, from behind the wall he pries ; 
Now at the window- grate is he : 
Now speaks my dear, and says, Arise, 
My love, my fair, and come with me ! 

2. 

Lo, winter's past, and come the spring, 
The rain is gone, the weather's clear ; 
The season wooes the birds to sing, 
And on the earth the flowers appear $ 
The turtle croweth in our field, 
Young iigs the fig-tree down doth weigh, 
The blossomed vines a savour yield 5 
Rise, love, my fair, and come away. 

£ 



50 

3. 

My Dove, that art obscured where 
The rock's dark stairs do thee infold 5 
Thy voice (thy sweet voice) let me hear, 
And thee (that lovely sight behold) . 
Those foxes' cubs, the vines that mar, 
Go take us while the grapes be young. 
My love's am I, and mine's my dear, 
Who feeds the lily flowers among. 

4. 

While break of day, when shades depart, 
Return, my well-beloved one, 
E'en as a roe or lusty hart, 
That doth on Bether mountains run. 
For him that to my soul is dear, 
Within my bed by night I sought ; 
I sought, but him I found not there; 
Thus therefore with myself I thought : 

5. 

I'll rise, and round the city wend ; 
Through lanes and open ways 111 go. 
That I my soul's delight may find. 
So there I sought and miss'd him too. 
The city-watch me lighted on, 
Then ask'd I for my soul's delight; 



51 

And, somewhat past them being gone, 
My soul's beloved found I straight. 

6. 

Whom then in my embrace I caught, 
And him forsook I not, till he 
Into my mother's house I brought, 
Her chamber, who conceived me. 
You daughters of Jerusalem, 
Stir not (by field-bred harts and roes, 
For you I do adjure by them) 
Nor wake my love, till she dispose. 

THE FOURTH CANTICLE. 

Here the Royal Prophet first singeth Christ, his 
going forth to preach the gospel, metaphorically 
expressing it (and, as it were) by way of admira- 
tion, at the excellent name thereof. Next he men- 
tioneth his couch (or resting-place), meaning either 
the church, or else that bed of his humanity, which 
the holy fathers and pastors of the church (as her 
valiant champions), defended by the sword of God's 
word against infidels, hereticks, and all the powers 
and terrors of the kingdom of darkness. Then he 
£ 2 



52 

mystically describeth that palace, throne, or abiding 
place of Christ, together with the glory of it, as 
well in regard of the precious matter of each several 
part, as in respect of the form and beauty of the 
whole fabrick. And lastly, he exhorteth all the 
faithful (under the name of the daughters of Sion) 
to contemplate seriously the excellent glory of Christ, 
when (by his incarnation) the Deity was espoused to 
the humanity. In singing this, we are to meditate 
in what security and glorious contentment we shall 
enjoy the embraces of our Redeemer 3 seeing his 
bed and place for entertainment of the daughters of 
Jerusalem (that is, the souls of the faithful) is so 
excellently built and furnished, as this allegory im- 
plieth. 

SONG XII. 

Sing this as the Fifth Song, * 

1. 

What's he, that from the desert, there, 
Doth like those smoky pillars come, 
Which from the incense and the myrrh, 
And all the merchant spices fume? 
His bed (which, lo, is Solomon's) 
Threescore stout men about it stand j 



53 

They are of Israel's valiant ones, 
And all of them with swords in hand. 

2. 

All those are men expert in fight, 
And each man on his thigh doth wear 
A sword, that terrors of the night 
May be forbid from coming there. 
King Solomon a goodly place, 
With trees of Lebanon, did rear ; 
Each pillar of it silver was,, 
And gold the bases of them were. 

3. 

With purple covered he the same, 
And all the pavement (thoroughout) 
Oh, Daughters of Jerusalem! 
For you, which charity is wrought. 
Come, Sion's Daughters, come away $ 
And crowned with his diadem, 
King Solomon behold you may. 
That crown his mother set on him, 
When he a married man was made, 
And in his heart contentment had. 



54 



THE FIFTH CANTICLE. 

That loveliness which is found in the most beau- 
tiful body,, endowed with the riches of the mind, 
and adorned with the goods of fortune (being of all 
objects the most powerful over human affections), 
the Holy Ghost, in this Song of Songs hath there- 
by mystically expressed the Church's estate in her 
several ages -> that so it might the better work into 
our souls an apprehension both of those excellent 
perfections Christ hath bestowed on his church, 
and the better inform us also of that unspeakable 
affection which he beareth unto her. And it seem- 
eth (the metaphors in this allegory being expound- 
ed), that the state of the Church, in her several 
members, is here described -, with her lover's affec- 
tion shewed towards her, about the time of the 
gospel's entrance, even when our blessed Saviour 
was abiding on the earth. But the explanation of 
each several metaphor will be too large for this 
place. Nor will every capacity reach unto the par- 
ticular application of them. It may suffice, there- 
fore, if such do (by an implicit faith) sing these 
mysteries with a general application of them to 
Christ and his Church, believing themselves mem- 
bers of that spouse 5 and that Jesus Christ is he, 



55 

who in this Song professeth an entire affection, not 
only to the whole mystical body of the faithful, but 
even to every member of it in particular. 



SONG XIII. 



l. 



Oh, my Love ! how comely now, 
And how beautiful art thou ! 
Thou of dove-like eyes a pair 
Shining hast within thy eyes, 
And thy locks like kidlings be, 
Which from Gilead Hill we see. 



Like those ewes thy teeth do show, 
Which in rows from washing go, 
When among them there is none 
Twinless, nor a barren one. 
And thy lips are of a red, 
Like the rosy coloured thread. 

3. 

Speech becoming thee thou hast : 
Underneath thy tresses plac'd, 



66 

Are thy temples (matchless fair) 
Which, o'ershadow'd with thy hair, 
Like pomegranates do appear, 
When they cut asunder are. 

4. 

To that fort thy neck's compared, 
Which with bulwarks David rear'd, 
Where a thousand shields are hung, 
All the targets of the strong. 
Breasts thou hast, like twinned roes, 
Feeding where the lily grows. 

5. 

While day-break, and shades are gone, 

To the mountains I will run -, 

To that hill, whence myrrh doth come, 

And to that of Lebanon ; 

Thou, my love, all beauty art, 

Spotless fair in ev'ry part. 

6. 
Come, my spouse, from Lebanon, 
Come with me from Lebanon. 
From Amana turn thy sight, 
Shenir's top, and Herman's height) 
From the dens of lions fell, 
And the hills where leopards dwell. 



51 

7- 
Thou, my sister, thou art she, 
Of my heart that robbeth me ; 
Thou, my spouse, oh,, thou art she, 
Of my heart that robbeth me ) 
With one of thine eyes aspect, 
And with one lock of thy neck. 

8. 

Sister, and espoused peer, 
Those, thy breasts, how fair they are ! 
Better be those dugs of thine, 
Than the most delicious wine \ 
And thine ointments odours are 
Sweeter than all spices fan 

9- 

Love, thy lips drop sweetness so, 
As the combs of honey do 5 
Thou hast underneath thy tongue 
Honey mixt with milk among -, 
And thy robes do scent as well 
As the frankincense doth smell. 

10. 

Thou, my sister and espous'd, 
Art a garden, fast enclos'd ; 



58 

Walled-spring, a fountain seal'd $ 
And the plants thy orchard yield 
Are of the pomegranate tree, 
With those fruits that pleasant be. 

11. 
Camphor, there, with nard doth grow, 
Nard commix' d with crocus too 5 
Calamus, and cinnamon, 
With all trees of Lebanon ; 
Sweetest aloes, and myrrh, 
And all spice that precious are. 

12. 

All the gardens ev'ry where 
Take their first beginning there j 
There the precious fountain lies, 
Whence all living waters rise ; 
Even all those streams that come 
Running down from Lebanon. 

#<§>####<#<§> t #### 

THE SIXTH CANTICLE. 

In this Canticle is mystically set forth the death 
and passion of Jesus Christ 5 from whence all the 
sacraments and spiritual graces bestowed on the 



59 

Church took their beginning. First, Christ desir- 
eth that, by the blowing of these two contrary 
winds, the charitable will of God, and the mali- 
cious will of his adversaries, the work of our re- 
demption might be wrought : to which purpose the 
Church also addeth her request. Secondly, Christ 
sheweth, that he hath accomplished his, with the 
Church's desire therein : and (expressing the ful- 
filling of his bitter-sweet passion) inviteth all the 
faithful to come and take benefit thereof. Thirdly, 
here is wondrously movingly intimated, both our 
Redeemer's watchfulness to secure us (even while 
he slept in the grave), and those love passages of 
his, wherewith he came to woo us in his human 
nature (as it were a lover knocking and calling at 
his beloved's window) in the dark night of his pas- 
sion, and unheeded afflictions. Lastly, here is 
described the Church's readiness to open to his Be- 
loved ) with that love distemperature, which ap- 
peared in her, when the women and the disciples 
missed him in the grave ; and when, through fear 
of the high priests, they were for a time spoiled of 
their robe and veil of faith. This Canticle may pro- 
perly be sung in commemoration of our Redeemer's 
sufferings, and of his Spouse's fear and sorrow be- 
fore his Resurrection. 



60 

SONG XIV. 

1. 

Arise, thou north wind, from the north, 

And from the south, thou south wind, blow 5 

Upon my garden breathe ye forth,, 

That so my spices (there that grow) 

From thence abundantly may flow 5 

And to thy garden come, my dear, 

To eat thy fruits of pleasure there, 

2. 

My sister and espoused peer, 

Unto my garden I am come 5 

My spice I gather' d with my myrrh, 

I ate my honey in the comb, 

And drunk my wine with milk among ; 

Come friends, and best belov'd of me, 

Come eat and drink, and merry be. 

3. 

I slept, but yet my heart did wake - y 

It is my love I knocking hear $ 

It was his voice, and thus he spake, 

Come, open unto me, my dear, 

My love, my dove, my spotless peer y 

For with the dew my head is dight, 

My locks with droppings of the night. 



61 

4. 

Lo, I have now undressed me, 
Why should I clothe me as before ? 
And since my feet clean washed be, 
Why should I soil them any more ? 
Then through the crevice of the door 
Appear'd the hand of my belov'd, 
And towards him my heart was mov d* 

5. 

I rose, unto my love to ope, 
And from my hands distilled myrrh 5 
Pure myrrh did from my fingers drop 
Upon the handles of the bar ; 
But then departed was my dear. 
When by his voice I knew 'twas he, 
My heart was like to faint in me. 

6. 

I sought, but seen he could not be ; 
I call'd, but heard no answer sound. 
The city watchmen met with me, 
As they were walking of the round, 
And gave me stripes that made a wound : 
Yea, they that watch and ward the wall. 
E'en they have took away my veil. 



62 



THE SEVENTH CANTICLE. 

Here is allegorically expressed the majesty, power, 
and excellency of Christ ; and is the effect of that 
which was evangelically sung of him after his Re- 
surrection and Ascension. First, the bride is intro- 
duced adjuring the faithful Israelites, that when 
they have attained the knowledge of Christ, her 
spouse, they should profess and teach him to the 
rest of their members. Secondly, those who long 
to find him, desire again of the Church to know 
the excellencies of that beloved of hers j and (by 
doubling the question) seem to imply a two-fold 
excellency. Thirdly, the Church speedily answers 
those that inquire after her spouse ; and (by de- 
scribing his excellency in his ten principal mem- 
bers) mystically notifieth his tenfold spiritual per- 
fection 5 whereupon to insist were not here con- 
venient. Lastly, the faithful crave the Church's 
direction to help her find him out ; to receive her 
gracious answer to that purpose. 



63 

SONG XV. 

Sing this as the Thirteenth Song, 

1. 

Oh 1 if him you happen on, 

Who is my beloved- one. 
Daughters of Jerusalem, 
I adjure you seriously 
To inform him how that I 
Sick am grown of love for him* 

2. 

Fairest of all women, tell 
How thy lover doth excel., 
More than other lovers do. 
Thy beloved, what is he, 
That thou dost adjure us so r 

3. 

He in whom I so delight, 
Is the purest red and white 5 
Of ten thousand chief is he 5 
Like fine gold his head doth show, 
Whereon curled locks do grow 5 
And a raven -black they be. 

4. 
Like the milky doves that bide 
By the rivers, he is ey'd; 



64 

Full and fitly set they are : 
Cheeks like spicy-beds hath he ; 
Or like flowers that fairest be : 
Lips like lilies dropping myrrh. 

5. 

Hands like rings of gold, beset 
With the precious chrysolet; 
Belly' d like white ivory, 
Wrought about with sapphires rich ; 
Legs like marble pillars, which 
Set on golden bases be. 

Fac'd like Libanus is he, 
Goodly as the cedar tree, 
Sweetness breathing out of him : 
He is lovely ev'ry where. 
This, my friend, is this my dear, 
Daughters of Jerusalem. 

7. 
Oh, thou fairest (ev'ry way) 
Of all women ! whither may 
Thy beloved turned be? 
Tell us whither he is gone ? 
Who is thy beloved-one, 
That we seek him may with thee? 



65 



s. 

To his garden went my dear, 
To the beds of spices there ; 
Where he feeds, and lilies gets : 
I my love's am, and (alone) 
Mine is my beloved- one, 
Who among the lilies eats. 

THE EIGHTH CANTICLE. 

Herein is contained a continuation of the praises 
of the Bride, and of that ardent affection expressed 
by her Beloved in the fifth Canticle; yet it is no 
unnecessary repetition -, for it seemeth to have re- 
spect to the Church's estate, and the passages be- 
tween her and Christ in another age ; even when 
the Gentiles began to be called and united unto the 
church of the Jews, according to what is desired in 
the first Canticle : and therefore she is here com- 
pared to Tyrzah and Jerusalem for loveliness. Her 
glorious increase, her singular purity, her extraor- 
dinary applause, the splendour of her majesty, and 
the powerfulness of her authority, is here also de- 
scribed. Moreover, the fears and hinderances sus- 
tained in her first persecutions are here mystically 

F 



66 

shewn. And,, lastly, they who through fear or ob- 
stinacy are separated from her, are called to return, 
in regard of her apparent power. This we may 
sing to remember us of those graces God hath be- 
stowed on his Church. To comfort our souls, also, 
with that dearness which Christ expresseth towards 
her of whom we are members, and on diverse other 
occasions, according as he that useth it hath capa- 
city to understand and apply the same. 



SONG XVI. 

Si?7g this as the Thirteenth Song, 

1. 

Beautiful art thou, my dear ! 

Thou as lovely art as are 

Tirzah or Jerusalem, 

(As the beautiful'st of them,) 

And as much thou mak'st afraid, 

As arm'd troops with flags display'd. 



Turn away those eyes of thine ; 

Do not fix them so on mine ; 

For there beam forth (from thy sight) 



67- 

Sweets that overcome me quite : 
And thy locks like kidlings be, 
Which from Gilead-hill we see. 

3. 

Like those ewes thy teeth do show. 
Which in rows from washing go 5 
When among them there is none 
Twinless, nor a barren one. 
And (within thy locks) thy brows 
Like the cut pomegranate shows. 

4. 

There are with her sixty queens ; 
There are eighty concubines 5 
And the damsels they possess 
Are in number numberless : 
But my dove is all alone, 
And an undefined one. 

5. 

She's her mother's only dear, 
And her joy that her did bear ; 
When the daughters her surveyed, 
That she blessed was they said : 
She was praised of the queens, 
And among the concubines. 
f 2 



68 

6. 

Who is she (when forth she goes) 
That so like the morning shows ? 
Beautiful, as is the moon j 
Purely bright, as is the sun : 
And appearing full of dread, 
Like an host with ensigns spread ! 

To the nut-yard down went I, 
(And the vale's increase to spy) 
To behold the vine-buds come., 
And to see pomegranates bloom 5 
But the prince's chariots did 
Vex me so, I could not heed. 

8. 

Turn, oh turn, thou Shulamite ! 
Turn, oh turn thee to our sight ! 
What, I pray, is that which you 
In the Shulamite would view, 
But that (to appearance) she 
Shews like troops that armed be. 

33 3» <5& J35 SB m 35 3R §B M 



69 



THE NINTH CANTICLE. 

Solomon, in the first part of this Canticle, com- 
mending the Church's universal beauty in her seve- 
ral parts, is understood to have respect to that time 
after the conversion from Paganism, wherein she was 
endowed and made lovely by the variety of those 
offices, states, and degrees, into which her mem- 
bers were for order's sake distinguished; as well as 
by the addition of those other graces formally receiv- 
ed : which states and degrees are here mystically 
understood by the parts of a beautiful woman (as 
doth excellently appear, the allegory being particu- 
larly expounded.) The second part of this Hymn 
expresseth the. mutual interchange of affections be- 
tween the Bridegroom and his bride -, and these 
sweet contentments they enjoy in each other's loves. 
Lastly, here is set forth both the Church's desire to 
be freed from those persecutions, which hinder her 
open and full fruition of her beloved ; and mention 
is here made also of those public and undisturbed 
embraces which they shall at length enjoy. The 
first part hereof we ought so to sing, that it may 
remember us to shun their blindness, who discern 
not the beauty of order and degrees in the Church. 
The second part puts us in mind that she is the 



70 

treasuress both of those graces which cause content- 
ment within ourselves, and make us acceptable to 
God. By the last part we may apprehend the com- 
fort that will foHow, when we desire that the open 
profession of Christ may be granted merely for 
the love of him. 

SONG XVII. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song. 



Thou daughter of the royal line, 
How comely are those feet of thine, 
When their beseeming shoes they wear ! 
The curious knottings of thy thighs 
Is like the costly gems of price, 
Which wrought by skilful workmen are. 



Thy navel is a goblet crown'd, 
Where liquor evermore is found ; 
Thy fair and fruitful belly shews, 
As doth a goodly heap of wheat, 
With lilies round about beset, 
And thy two breasts like twinned roes. 



71 

3. 

Thy neck like some white tower doth rise; 
Like Heshbon fish- pools are thine eyes, 
Which near the gate Bath-rabbim lie. 
Thy nose (which thee doth well become) 
Is like the tower of Libanum, 
That on Damascus hath an eye. 



Thy heart like scarlet doth appear ; 
The hairs thereof like purple are 5 
And in those threads the King is bound. 
Oh, Love ! how wondrous fair art thou ! 
How perfect do thy pleasures show ! 
And how thy joys in them abound! 

5. 

Thou station'd art in palm-tree wise ; 
Thy breasts like clusters do arise : 
I said unto this palm, I'll go, 
My hold shall on her branches be 5 
And these thy breasts shall be to me 
Like clusters that on vines do grow. 

6. 

Thy nostrils savour shall as well 
As newly-gathered fruits do smell. 



72 

Thy speech shall also relish so, 
As purest wine, that for my dear 
As fitting drink, and able were 
To cause an old man's lips to go. 

7. 
I my beloved's am, and he 
Hath his affection set on me. 
Come, well-beloved, come away, 
Into the fields let's walk along 3 
And there the villages among, 
E'en in the country he' will stay. 



We to the vines betimes will go, 
And see if they do spring or no 5 
Or, if the tender grapes appear : 
We will, moreover, go and see 
If the pomegranates blossom'd be ; 
And I my love will give thee there. 

9. 

Sweet smells the mandrakes do afford, 
And we within our gates are stor'd, 
Of all things that delightful be : 
Yea, whether new or old they are, 
Prepared they be for my dear, 
And I have laid them up for thee. 



73 

10. 

Would as my brother thou might'st be, 
That suck'd my mother's breast with me $ 
Oh, would it were no otherwise ! 
In public then I thee would meet, 
And give thee kisses in the street, 
And none there is should thee despise. 

11. 

Then 1 myself would for thee come, . 
And bring thee to my mother's home : 
Thou likewise shouldst instruct me there ; 
And wine that is commixt with spice 
(Sweet wine of the pomegranate juice) 
I would for thee to drink prepare. 

12. 

My head with his left hand he staid - } 
His right hand over me he laid 5 
And being so embrac'd by him, 
Said he, I charge you, not disease, 
Nor wake my love, until she please, 
You daughters of Jerusalem. 



74 



THE TENTH CANTICLE. 

In this last part of Solomon's Song he first sing- 
eth that sweet peace and extraordinary prosperity 
vouchsafed unto the Church after her great perse- 
cutions ; and expresseth it by putting the question, 
who she was that came out of the wilderness lean- 
ing on her Beloved. Secondly,, he introduceth Christ 
putting the human nature in remembrance from 
what estate he hath raised it, and requiring the dear- 
est of our affections, in regard of the ardency, un- 
quenchableness, and inestimable value of his love. 
Thirdly, having remembered the Church of the 
affection due to him, Christ teacheth her the cha- 
ritable care she ought to have of others -, and that 
she being brought into his favour and protection, 
should seek the preferment of her younger sister 
also, even the people who have not yet the breasts 
of God's two testaments to nourish their souls. 
Fourthly, the Church's true Solomon, or Peace- 
Maker (meaning Jesus Christ) having a vineyard 
in Baal-hammon (that is) wheresoever there are 
people 5 herein is declared the reward of such as 
are profitably employed in that vineyard. And 
lastly, the confirmation of Christ's marriage upon 
4he hills of spice (meaning Heaven) is hastened. 



75 

In singing this Canticle we ought to meditate what 
estate God hath raised us from ; what love he hath 
vouchsafed \ what our charity should be to others 5 
what we should have to the comfort of the world to 
come. 

SONG XVIII. 

1. 

Who's this,, that leaning on her friend, 
Doth from the wilderness ascend ? 

Mind how I raised thee, 
E'en where thy mother thee conceiv'd, 
Where she that brought thee forth conceiv'd, 

Beneath an apple-tree. 

# 
2. 

Me in thy heart engraven bear, 

And seal-like on thy hand- wrist wear ; 

For love is strong as death ; 
Fierce as the grave is Jealousy, 
The coals thereof do burning lie, 

And furious flames it hath. 

3. 

Much water cannot cool love's flame, 

No floods have power to quench the same. 



76 

For love so high is priz'd, 
That who to buy it would essay, 
Though all his wealth he gave away., 

It would be all despis'd. 

4. 

We have a sister, scarcely grown, 
For she has such a little one, 

That yet no breasts hath she ; 
What thing shall we now undertake 
To do for this our sister's sake, 

If spoken for she be ? 

5. 

If that a wall she do appear, 
We turrets upon her will rear, 

And palaces of plate ; 
And then with boards of cedar-tree 
Enclose, and fence her in will we, 

If that she be a gate. 

6. 
A wall already built I am, 
And now my breasts upon the same, 

Do turret-like arise -, 
Since when, as one that findeth rest, 
(And is of settled heart possest) 

I seemed in his eyes. 



11 

A vineyard hath King Solomon, 
This vineyard is at Baal-hammon, 

Which he to keepers put -, 
And ev'ry one that therein wrought, 
A thousand silver-pieces brought, 

And gave him for the fruit. 

8. 

My vineyard, which belongs to me, 
E'en I myself do oversee : 

To thee, O Solomon, 
A thousand-fold doth appertain, 
And those that keep the same shall gain 

Two hundred-fold for one. 

9- 

Thou whose abode the gardens are, 
(Thy fellows unto thee give ear) 

Cause me to hear thy voice : 
And let my Love as swiftly go, 
As doth a hart or nimble roe, 

Upon the hills of spice. 



78 
THE FIRST SONG OF ESAI. 

Esa. V. 

In this Song the Prophet, singing of Christ and his 
vineyard, first sheweth, that, notwithstanding his 
labour bestowed in fencing and manuring thereof, 
it bringeth sour grapes. Secondly, he summoneth 
their consciences whom he covertly upbraided, to 
be judges of God's great love, and their unprofit- 
ableness. Thirdly, he shows both how he intends 
to deal with his vineyard, and who they are whom 
he pointeth out in this parable. Now, seeing it 
hath befallen the Jews according to this prophetical 
hymn, we are to memorize the mercy and justice of 
God, both which are manifested in this song: his 
mercy in forewarning, his justice in punishing even 
his own people. Secondly, we are so to meditate 
thereon, that we may be warned to consider what 
favours God hath vouchsafed us, and what fruits 
we ought to bring forth $ lest he leave us also to be 
spoiled of our adversaries : for in this parable the 
Holy Spirit speaketh unto every congregation who 
abuseth his favours. And doubtless all such (as it 
hath fallen out in Antioch, Laodicea, and many 
other particular churches) shall be deprived of 
God's protection, of the dews of his Holy Spirit, 



79 

and of the sweet showers of his word, to be left to 
thorns and briers, the fruit of their own natural cor- 
ruptions. 

SONG XIX. 

Sing this as the Fourteenth Song. 

1. 

A Song of Him whom I love best ; 
And of his Vineyard sing I will. 
A vineyard once my love possest, 
Well-seated on a fruitful hill 5 
He kept it close-immured still : 
The earth from stones he did refine, 
And set it with the choicest vine. 

2. 

He in the midst a fort did rear, 

(A wine-press therein also wrought ;) 

But when he look'd it grapes should bear, 

Those grapes were wild ones that it brought, 

Jerusalem, come speak thy thought, 

And you of Judah judges be, 

Betwixt my vineyards here, and me. 



80 

3. 

Unto my vineyard what could more 
Performed be, than I have done? 
Yet looking it should grapes have bore, 
Save wild ones it afforded none. 
But go to, (let it now alone) 
Resolv'd I am to shew you too, 
What with my vineyard I will do. 

4. 

The hedge I will remove from thence, 
That what so will, devour it may. 
I down will break the walled-fence, 
And through it make a trodden way. 
Yea, all of it I waste will lay. 
To dig or dress it none shall care: 
But thorns and briers it shall bear. 



The clouds I also will compel, 

That there no rain descend for this; 

For lo the house of Israel 

The Lord of Armies' vineyard is : 

And Judah is that plant of his, 

That pleasant one, who forth hath brought 

Oppression, when he judgment sought. 

lie seeking justice, found therein, 

In lieu thereof, a crying sin. 



81 
THE SECOND SONG OF ESAI. 

Esai. xii. 

Isaiah having a little before prophesied of the In- 
carnation of Jesus Christ, and the excellency of his 
kingdom, doth in this Hymn praise him for his 
mercy ^ and foreshows the Church also, what her 
Song should be in that day of her redemption, the 
principal contents whereof are these : A confession 
of God's mercy, a prediction concerning the sacra- 
ment of baptism, and an exhortation to a joyful 
thanksgiving. This Song the Church should still 
sing to the honour of Jesus Christ for our redemp- 
tion. Yea, in regard the Prophet (foreseeing the 
good cause we should have to make use hereof) 
hath prophesied it should be the Church's Hymn, 
it seemeth not improper to be used on those days, 
which are solemnized in memorial of our Saviour's 
Nativity ; or whensoever we shall be moved to praise 
God, in memorizing the gracious comforts pro- 
mised us by his Prophets, and fulfilled by his own 
coming. And to fit the same the better to that pur- 
pose, I have changed the person and the time in 
this translation. 



82 

SONG XX. 

l. 

Lord, I will sing to Thee, 

For thou displeased wast, 

And yet withdrew'st thy wrath from me, 

And sent me comfort hast. 

Thou art my health, on whom 

A fearless trust I lay ; 

For thou, oh Lord ! thou art become 

My strength, my song, my stay ! 

2. 

And with rejoicing now, 

Sweet waters we convey, 

Forth of those springs whence life doth flow; 

And, thus, we therefore say, 

Oh, sing unto the Lord ; 

His name and works proclaim; 

Yea, to the people bear record 

That glorious is his name. 

3. 

Unto the Lord, oh sing, 
For wonders he hath done, 
And many a renowned thing, 
Which through the earth is known* 



S3 

Oh sing aloud, all ye 
On S ion- hill that dwell ; 
For, lo, thy Holy One in thee 
Is great, oh Israel ! 

THE THIRD SONG OF ESAI. 

Esai. xxvi. 

Esai composed this Song to comfort the Israelites 
id their captivity ; to strengthen their patience in 
affliction. First, it remembereth them that God's 
protection being every where as available as a de- 
fenced city, they ought always to rely on the firm 
peace which that affordeth. Secondly, he sheweth 
that the pride of sin shall be overthrown ; and that 
the faithful are resolved to fly unto their Redeemer,, 
and await his pleasure in their chastisements. Third- 
ly, he singeth the utter desolation of tyrants; the 
increase of the Church ; her afflictions j her deli- 
verance 5 and the resurrection from death through 
Christ. Lastly, the faithful are exhorted to attend 
patiently on the Lord their Saviour, who will come 
shortly to judgment, and take account for the blood 
of his saints. This Song is made in the person of 
the Church, and may be sung to comfort and con- 



84 

firm us in all our chastisements and persecutions; 
by bringing to our consideration the short time of 
our endurance,, and the certainty of our Redeemer's 
coming. It may be used also to praise God both 
for his justice and mercy. 

SONG XXL 

Sing this as the Third Song. 

1. 

A city now we have obtained, 
Where strong defences are 5 
And God salvation hath ordain'd 
For walls and bulwarks there. 
The gates thereof wide open ye, 
That such as justly do, 
(And those that Truth's observers be) 
May enter thereunto. 

2. 

There thou in peace wilt keep them sure, 
Whose thoughts well grounded be -, 
In peace that ever shall endure, 
Because they trusted Thee. 
For ever, therefore, on the Lord, 
Without distrust, depend ; 



85 

For in the Lord, th' eternal Lord, 
Is strength that hath no end. 

3. 

He makes the lofty city yield, 
And her proud dwellers bow ; 
He lays it level with the field, 
E'en with the dust below. 
Their feet that are in want and care, 
Their feet thereon shall tread -, 
Their way is right, that righteous are, 
And thou their path dost heed. 

4. 

Upon the course of judgments we, 

Oh, Lord, attending were, 

And to record thy name and thee, 

Our souls desirous are. 

On thee our minds, with strong desire, 

Are fixed in the night j 

And after thee oar hearts inquire, 

Before the morning light. 

5. 

For when thy righteous judgments are 
Upon the earth discern' d, 
By those that do inhabit there, 
Uprightness shall be learn'd. 



86 

Yet sinners for no terror will 
Just dealing understand, 
But in their sins continue still, 
Amid the Holy Land. 

6, 

To seek the glory of the Lord 

They unregardful be ; 

And thy advanced hand, oh Lord, 

They will not deign to see. 

But they shall see, and see with shame, 

That bear thy people spite ; 

Yea, from thy foes shall come a flame, 

Which will devour them quite. 

7. 
Then, Lord, for us thou wilt procure 
That we in peace may be, 
Because that e\ery work of ours 
Is wrought for us by thee. 
And, Lord our God, though we are brought 
To other lords in thrall, 
Of thee alone shall be our thought, 
Upon thy name to call. 

8, 

They are deceas'd, and never shall 

Renewed life obtain : 



87 

They die, and shall not rise at all 
To tyrannise again : 
For thou didst visit them, therefore, 
And wide dispers'd them hast; 
That so their fame for evermore 
May wholly be defac'd. 



But, Lord, increased thy people are, 
Increas'd they are by thee; 
And thou art glorified as far 
As earth's wide limits be ; 
For, Lord, in their distresses, when 
Thy rod on them was laid, 
They unto thee did hasten then, 
And without ceasing pray'd. 

10. 

As one with child is pain'd, when as 

Her throes of bearing be, 

And cries in pangs (before thy face;) 

O lord, so fared we. 

We have conceiv'd, and for a birth 

Of wind have pained been. 

The world's unsafe, and still on earth ' 

They thrive that dwell therein. 



88 

H. 

Thy dead shall live, and rise again 

With my dead body shall. 

Oh, you , that in the dust remain, 

Awake, and sing you all ! 

For as the dew doth herbs renew, 

That barren seern'd before, 

So earth shall through thy heavenly dew 

Her dead alive restore. 

12. 

My people, to thy chambers fair ; 

Shut close the door to thee. 

And stay a while (a moment there) 

Till past the fury be : 

For lo, the Lord doth now arise, 

He cometh from his place, 

To punish their impieties, 

"Who now the world possess. 



*wxx«fr*xx:«» 



89 

THE PRAYER OF HEZEKIAH. 

Esai. xxxvii. 15. 

In this Prayer, Hezekiah, having first acknow- 
ledged God's majesty and almighty power, desires 
him, both to hear and consider his adversaries' blas- 
phemy : then (to manifest the necessity of his pre- 
sent assistance) urgeth . the power his foe had ob- 
tained over such as served not the true God : and, 
as it seemeth, importunes deliverance, not so much 
in regard of his own safety, as that the blasphemer, 
and all the world, might know the difference be- 
tween the Lord's power, and the arrogant brags of 
men. This Song may be used whensoever the Turk, 
or any other great adversary (prevailing against false 
worshippers) shall thereupon grow insolent, and 
threaten God's Church also 3 as if, in despite of him, 
he had formerly prevailed by his own strength. For 
the name of Sennacherib may be mystically applied 
to any such enemy. We may use this Hymn also 
against those secret blasphemies which the Devil 
whispers unto our souls 5 or when by temptations 
he seeks to drive us to despair, by laying before us 
how many others he hath destroyed, who seemed 
to have been in as good assurance as we ; for he is 
indeed that mystical Assyrian Prince, who hath 



90 

overthrown whole countries and nations, with their 
gods in whom they trusted. Such as are these, 
temporal power, riches, superstitious worship, car- 
nal wisdom, idols, &c. which being but the works 
of men (and yet trusted in as gods), he hath power 
to destroy them. 

SONG XXII. 



O Lord of Hosts, and God of Israel ! 

Thou who between the Cherubims dost dwell ; 

Of all the world thou only art the King, 

And heaven and earth unto their form dids r t bring. 

2. 

Lord, bow thine ear ; to hear attentive be $ 
Lift up thine eyes, and deign, O Lord, to see 
What words Sennacherib hath cast abroad, 
And his proud message to the living Lord ! 

3. 

Lord, true it is, that lands and kingdoms all 
Are to the king of Ashur brought in thrall ; 
Yea, he their gods into the fire hath thrown, 
For gods they were not, but of wood and stone. 



91 

4. 

Mans work they were, and men destroyed them have ; 
Us, therefore, from his power vouchsafe to save, 
That all the kingdoms of the world may see 
That thou art God, that only thou art he. 

HEZEKIAH'S THANKSGIVING. 

Esai. xxxviii. 10. 

Hezekiah, having been sick, and recovered, made 
this Song of Thanksgiving ; and setteth forth the 
mercy of God, by considering these particulars : 
The time of his age j the fears of his soul ; the root- 
ing out of his posterity 3 the violence of his disease; 
and the forgiveness of his sins, added to the restor- 
ing of his health. Then (seeming to have entered 
into a serious consideration of all this) he confess- 
ed! who were most bound to praise God, and vow- 
eth this deliverance to everlasting memory. This 
Song may be used after deliverance from temporal 
sickness. But, in the principal sense, it is a spe- 
cial Thanksgiving for that cure which Jesus Christ 
wrought upon the human nature, being in danger 
of everlasting perdition : for Hezekiah which sig- 
nifieth helped of the Lord, typifieth mankind labour- 



92 

ing under the sickness of sin and death. Isaiah, 
who brought the medicine that cured him (and is 
interpreted the Salvation of the Lord,) figured our 
blessed Redeemer, by whom the human nature is 
restored $ and whose sending into the world was 
mystically shewed by the miracle of the sun's re- 
trograde action. To praise God for that mystery 
therefore, (the circumstances being well considered) 
this Hymn seemeth very proper. And doubtless 
for this cause it was partly preserved for these our 
times, and ought often and heartily to be sung to 
that purpose. 



SONG XXIII. 

Sing this as the Fourth Song. 

1. 

When I suppos'd my time was at an end, 
Thus to myself I did myself bemoan : 
Now to the gates of hell I must descend, 
For all the remnant of my years are gone. 
The Lord (said I) where now the living be, 
Nor man on earth shall I for ever see. 

2. 

As when a shepherd hath remov'd his tent, 
Or as a weaver's shuttle slips away, 



93 

Right so, my dwelling and my years were spent $ 
And so, my sickness did my life decay ; 
Each day, ere night, my death expected 1 5 
And ev'ry night, ere morning, thought to die. 

3. 

For he, so lion-like, my bones did break, 
That I scarce thought to live another day ; 
A noise I did like cranes or swallows make, 
And, as the turtle, I lamenting lay. 
Then, with uplifted eye-lids, thus I spake, 
Oh Lord, on me oppressed, mercy take ! 

4. 

What shall I say ? he did his promise give, 

And as he promis'd he performed it -, 

And, therefore, I will never, whilst I live, 

Those bitter passions of my soul forget : 

Yea, those that live, and those unborn, shall know 

What life and rest thou didst on me bestow. 

My former pleasures sorrows were become -, 
But in that love, which to my soul thou hast, 
The grave, that all devours, thou keptst me from, 
And didst my errors all behind thee cast 5 
For, nor the grave, nor death, can honour thee 3 
Nor hope they for thy truth that buried be. 



94 



Oh ! he that lives, that lives as I do now, 
E'en he it is that shall thy praise declare : 
Thy truth the father to his seed shall shew. 
And how thou me, oh Lord, hast deign'd to spare ! 
Yea, Lord, for this I will, throughout my days, 
Make music in thy house unto thy praise. 



THE 

LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH. 

As useful as any part of the Old Testament, for 
these present times (nigh fallen asleep in security) 
are these Elegiacal Odes ; for they bring many 
things to our consideration. First, what we may 
and should lament for. Secondly, how careful we 
ought to be of the common- wealth's prosperity; 
because, if that go to ruin, the particular Church 
therein cherished must needs be afflicted also, and 
God's worship hindered. Thirdly, thev teach us, 
that the overthrow of kingdoms and empires fol- 
lows the abuse and neglect of religion -, and that 
(sin being the only cause thereof) we ought to en- 
dure our chastisements without murmuring against 
God. Fourthly, they warn us not to abuse God's 



95 

merciful long-suffering. Fifthly, they persuade tts 
to commiserate and pray for the Church and our 
brethren in calamities, and not to despise them in 
their humiliations. Sixthly, they leave us not to 
judge the truth of professions, by those afflictions 
God lays upon particular churches, seeing the Jew- 
ish religion was the truth, and those idolaters, who 
led them into captivity. Seventhly, they shew us, 
that neither the antiquity, strength, fame, or formal 
sanctity of any place (no, nor God's former respect 
thereunto) shall privilege it from destruction, if it 
continue in abusing his grace. And lastly, they (as 
it were, limiting our sorrows) mind us to cast our 
eyes on the mercies of God; and to make such use 
of his chastisements, as may turn our lamentations 
into songs of joy. 



LAMENT. I. 

This Elegy first bewaileth, in general terms, that 
calamity and destruction of Judah and Jerusalem, 
which is afterwards more particularly mentioned. 
Secondly, it makes a confession of their manifold 
sins committed ; and is full of many passionate and 
penitential complaints, justifying the Lord in his 
judgments, and confessing the vanity of human 



96 

consolations. Lastly, it containeth a short prayer 
for God's mercy, and a divine prediction of those 
judgments which will fall on them, by whom his 
people have been afflicted. This Elegy may be 
sung whensoever any general calamity falleth on the 
commonwealth in which we live ; we having first 
considered and applied the particular circumstances, 
as there shall be cause. We may sing it also his- 
torically, to memorize the justice of God, and the 
miserable desolations of Judah and Jerusalem, re- 
corded for our example. 

SONG XXIV. 

1. 

How sad and solitary now (alas !) 
Is that well-peopled city come to be, 
Which once so great among the nations was ! 
And, oh, how widow-like appeareth she ! 
She rule of all the provinces hath had, 
And now herself is tributary made ! 

2. 

All night she maketh such excessive moan, 
That down her cheeks a flood of tears doth flow ! 
And yet among her lovers there is none 



97 

That consolation doth on her bestow ! 
For they that once her lovers did appear> 
Now turned foes, and faithless to her are ! 

3. 

Now Judali in captivity complains 

That (others) heretofore so much opprest, 

For her false service, she herself remains 

Among those heathens, where she finds no rest, 

And apprehended in a strait is she, 

By those that persecutors of her be ! 



The very ways of Sion do lament ; 

The gates thereof their loneliness deplore j 

Because that no man cometh to frequent 

Her solemn festivals, as heretofore. 

Her priests do sigh, her tender virgins be 

Uncomfortable left, and so is she! 

5. 

Her adversaries are become her chiefs ; 
On high exalted, those that hate her are > 
And God hath brought upon her all those griefs, 
Because so many her transgressions were. 
Her children, driven from her by the foe, 
Before him into loathed thraldom go, 

H 



98 

6. 

From Sion's daughters (once without compare) 
Now all her matchless loveliness is gone : 
And like those chased harts, her princes fair, 
Who seek for pasture, and can find out none. 
So (of their strength deprived, and fainting nigh) 
JBefore their abler foes they feebly fly, 

7. 
Jerusalem now thinks upon her crimes, 
And calls to mind (amid her present woes) 
The pleasure she enjoy'd in former times, 
Till first she was surprised by her foes : 
And how (when they perceived her forlorn) 
They at her holy sabbaths made a scorn. 

8. 

Jerusalem's transgressions many were ; 
And therefore is it she disdained lies : 
Those who in former time have honour'd her, 
Her baseness now behold, and her despise. 
Yea, she herself doth sit bewailing this, 
And of herself herself ashamed is. 

9. 

Her own uncleanness in her skirt she bore, 
Not then believing what her end would be : 



99 

This great destruction falls on her therefore, 
And none to help or comfort her hath she. 
Oh, heed thou, Lord ! and pity thou my woes, 
For I am triumph'd over by my foes ! 

JO. 

Her foe hath touch'd with his polluted hand 
Her things that sacred were, before her face : 
And they, whose entrance thou didst countermand, 
Intruded have into her holy place ; 
Those, that were not so much approv'd by thee. 
As of thy congregation held to be. 

11. 

Her people do, with sighs and sorrows, get 
That little bread, which for relief they have : 
And give away their precious things for meat, 
So to procure wherewith their life to save : 
Oh, Lord! consider this, and ponder thou, 
How vile and how dejected I am now ! 

12. 

No pity in you, passengers, is there ? 
Your eyes, oh! somewhat hitherward incline^ 
And mark, if ever any grief there were, 
Or sorrow that did equal this of mine ! 
This which the Lord on me inflicted hath, 
Upon the day of his incensed wrath, 
h 2 



100 

13. 

He from above a flame hath hurled down, 
That kindles in my bones prevailing fire : 
A net he over both my feet hath thrown, 
By which I am compelled to retire. 
And he hath made me a forsaken one, 
To sit and weep out all the day alone. 

14. 

The heavy yoke of my transgressions now 
His hand hath writhed, and upon me laid ; 
Beneath the same my tired neck doth bow, 
And all my strength is totally decay'd. 
For me to those the Lord hath given me o'er, 
Whose hands will hold me fast for evermore. 

15. 

The Lord hath trampled underneath their feet 
E'en all the mighty in the midst of me : 
A great assembly he hath caus'd to meet, 
That all my ablest men might slaughter' d be j 
And Judah's virgin daughters trod upon, 
As in a wine-press grapes are trodden on. 

16. 

For this (alas ! ) thus weep I ; and mine eyes, 
Mine eyes drop water thus, because that he, 
On whose assistance my sad soul relies, 



101 

In my distress is far away from me : 
E'en while (because of my prevailing foe) 
My children are compell'd from me to go. 

17. 

In vain hath Sion stretched forth her hand, 
For none unto her succour draweth nigh ; 
Because the Lord hath given in command, 
That Jacob's foes should round about her lie: 
And poor Jerusalem, among them there, 
Like some defiled woman doth appear. 

18. 

The Lord is justified, nay-the-less, 

Because I did not his commands obey; 

All nations, therefore, hear my heaviness, 

And heed it (for your w r arning) you, I pray ; 

For into thraldom (through my follies) be 

My virgins, and my young men, borne from me. 

19. 

Upon my lovers I have cried out ; 

But they my groundless hopes deceived all ; 

I for my rev'rend priests inquir'd about ; 

I, also, did upon my elders call 5 

But in the city up the ghost they gave, 

As they were seeking meat, their lives to save. 



102 



20. 

Oh, Lord ! take pity now in my distress 5 
For, lo, my soul distemper'd is in me -, 
My heart is overcome with heaviness, 
Because I have so much offended thee ! 
Thy sword abroad, my ruin doth become, 
And death doth also threaten me at home ! 



21. 

And of my sad complaints my foes have heard; 
But to afford me comfort there is none : 
My troubles have at full to them appear d, 
Yet they are joyful that thou so hast done : 
But thou wilt bring the time set down by thee, 
And then in sorrow they shall equal me, 

22. 

Then shall those foul offences they have wrought 

Before thy presence be remembered all : 

And whatsoe'er my sins on me have brought, 

(For their transgressions) upon them shall fall: 

For so my sighings multiplied be, 

That, wherewithal, my heart is faint in me. 






103 



LAMENT. II. 

In this Elegy the Prophet useth a very pathetical 
exordium, the better to awaken the people's consi- 
deration; and to make them the more sensible of 
their horrible calamity ; which he first illustrateth 
in general terms, by comparing their estate to the 
miserable condition of one fallen from the glory of 
heaven to the lowest earth: and in mentioning their 
being deprived of that glorious temporal and eccle- 
siastical government, which they formerly enjoyed. 
Afterwards, he descends to particulars j as the de- 
struction of their palaces, forts, temples, walls, and 
gates j the profaning of their sabbaths, feasts, rites, 
&c. ; the suspending of their laws, priests, prophets -, 
the slaughter of young men and virgins, old men 
and children ; with the famine and reproaches they 
sustained, &c. All which acknowledging to be the 
just judgments of God, he adviseth them not to 
hearken to the delusions of their false prophets, but 
to return unto the Lord by tears and hearty repent- 
ance. For the use and application, see what hath 
been said, before the former Elegy. 



104 

SONG XXV, 
Sing this as the Twenty -fourth Song. 

I. 

How dark, and how be-clouded (in his wrath) 

The Lord hath caused Sion to appear ! 

How Israel's beauty he obscured hath, 

As if thrown down from heav'n to earth he were ! 

Oh! why is his displeasure grown so hot? 

And why hath he his footstool so forgot ? 



The Lord all Sion's dwellings hath laid waste ; 

And, in so doing, he no sparing made : 

For in his anger to the ground he cast 

The strongest holds that Judah's daughter had. 

Them, and their kingdom, he to ground doth send, 

And all the Princes of it doth suspend. 

3. 

When at the highest his displeasure was, 

From Israel all his horn of strength he broke ; 

And from before his adversary's face 

His right-hand (that restrained him) he took. 

Yea, he in Jacob kindled such a flame, 

As, round about, hath quite consum'd the same. 



105 

4. 

His bow he as an adversary bent, 

And by his right-hand he did plainly shew 

He drew it with an enemy's intent -, 

For all that were the fairest marks he slew. 

In Sion's tabernacle this was done ; 

E'en there the fire of his displeasure shone. 

5. 

The Lord himself is he that was the foe \ 

By him is Israel thus to ruin gone. 

His palaces he overturned so 3 

And he his holds of strength hath overthrown : 

E'en he it is, from whom it doth arise, 

That Israel's daughter thus lamenting lies. 

6. 

His tabernacle, garden-like that was, 

The Lord with violence hath took away : 

He hath destroyed his assembling-place ; 

And there no feasts nor sabbaths now have they : 

No, not in Sion 5 for in his fierce wrath 

He both their King and Priests rejected hath! 

7. 
The Lord his holy altar doth forego 5 
His sanctuary he hath quite despis'd, 



106 

Yea, by his mere assistance hath our foe 
The bulwarks of our palaces surpriz'd : 
And in the Lord's own house rude noises are 
As loud as heretofore his praises were. 

8. 

The Lord his thought did purposely incline, 
The walls of Sion should be overthrown : 
To that intent he stretched forth his line, 
And drew not back his hand till they were down. 
And so, the turrets, with the bruised wall, 
Did both together to destruction fall. 

9- 

Her gates in heaps of earth obscured are j 
The bars of them in pieces broke hath he : 
Her king, and those that once her princes were, 
Now borne away among the Gentiles be. 
The law is lost, and they no prophet have, 
That from the Lord a vision doth receive. 

10. 

In silence, seated on the lowly ground, 

The senators of Sion's daughter are: 

With ashes they their careful heads have crown'd, 

And mourning sackcloth girded on them wear. 

Yea, on the earth in a distressed- wise, 

Jerusalem's young virgins fix their eyes. 



107 



n. 



And, for because my people suffer this, 

Mine eyes with much lamenting dimmed grow$ 

Each part within me out of quiet is, 

And on the ground my liver forth I throw; 

When as mine eyes with so sad objects meet, 

As babes half dead, and sprawling in the street, 

12. 

For, to their mothers called they for meat ; 

Oh where shall we have meat and drink! they crt< 

And in the city, while they food entreat, 

They swoon, like them that deadly wounded lie i 

And some of them their souls did breathe away, 

As in the mother's bosom starv'd they lay. 

13. 

Jerusalem ! for thee what can I say ? 
Or unto what may'st thou resembled be ? 
Oh ! whereunto, that comfort thee I may, 
Thou Sion's daughter, shall I liken thee } 
For, as the seas, so great thy breaches are -, 
And to repair them then, ah, who is there ? 

14. 

Thou by thy prophets hast deluded been $ 
And foolish visions they for thee have sought. 



108 

For, they revealed not to thee thy sin, 
To turn away the thraldom it hath brought. 
But lying prophecies they sought for thee, 
Which of thy sad exile the causes be. 

15. 

And those, thou daughter of Jerusalem, 

That on occasions pass along this way, 

With clapping hands, and hissings, thee contemn $ 

And, nodding at thee, thus in scorn they say : 

Is this the city men did once behight 

The flower of beauty, and the world's delight? 

. 16. 

Thy adversaries (every one of them) 

Their mouths have open'd at thee, to thy shame : 

They hiss, and gnash at thee, Jerusalem ; 

We, we (say they) have quite destroy 'd the same : 

This is that day hath long expected been : 

Now cometh it, and we the same have seen. 

i;. 

But, this the Lord decreed, and brought to pass; 
He, to make good that word which once he spake, 
(And that which long ago determin'd was) 
Hath hurled down, and did no pity take. 
He thus hath made thee scorned of thy foe, 
And rais'd the horn of them that hate thee so; 



109 

18. 

Oh wall of S ion's daughter, cry amain ; 
E'en to the Lord set forth a hearty cry : 
Down,, like a river, cause thy tears to rain, 
And let them neither day nor night be dry. 
Seek neither sleep, thy body to suffice, 
Nor slumber for the apples of thine eyes. 

19- 

At night, and when the watch is new begun, 
Then rise, and to the Lord Almighty cry : 
Before him let thy heart like water run, 
And lift thou up to him thy hands on high. 
E en for those hunger- starved babes of thine, 
That in the corners of the streets do pine. 

20. 

And thou, oh Lord, oh be thou pleas 1 d to see, 
And think on whom thy judgments thou hast thrown ! 
Shall women fed with their own issue be, 
And children that a span are scarcely grown ? 
Shall thus thy priests and prophets, Lord, be slain, 
As in thy sanctuary they remain ? 

21. 

Nor youth, nor age, is from the slaughter free 5 
For in the streets lie young, and old, and all. 



110 

My virgins and my young men murdered be; 
E'en both beneath the sword together fall. 
Thou, in thy day of wrath, such havoc mad'st, 
That in devouring thou no pity hadst. 

22. 

Thou round about hast call'd my feared foes, 
As if that summoned to some feast they were; 
Who in thy day of wrath did round enclose, 
And shut me so, that none escaped are. 
Yea, those that hate me, them consumed have, 
To whom I nourishment and breeding gave. 



LAMENT. III. 

Here the Prophet Jeremy, having contemplated 
his own afflictions, with the destruction of Judah 
and Jerusalem, seemeth, by that material object, 
to have raised his apprehension higher, and, by the 
spirit of prophecy, both to foresee the particular 
sufferings of Jesus Christ, and to become sensible 
also of those great afflictions which the church mili- 
tant (his mystical body) should be exercised withal. 
And in this most passionate Elegy, either in his own 
person bewaileth it, or else personates Jesus Christ, 



Ill 

the head of that mystical body; taking upon him- 
self those punishments, with that heavy burden of 
God's wrath, and that unspeakable sorrow, which 
mankind had otherwise been overwhelmed withal. 
In brief, this Elegy contains an expression of God's 
heavy anger for our sin ; the severity and bitterness 
of his judgments; the greatness of his mercies ; the 
hope and patience of the faithful in all afflictions ; 
the unwillingness of God to punish ; the hearty re- 
pentance of his people ; and a prophetical impreca- 
tion concerning the enemies of the spiritual Jerusa- 
lem. This may be sung to move and stir us up with 
a feeling of our Redeemer's Passion ; to remember 
us of our miserable condition through sin ; to move 
us to repentance; and to comfort and instruct us 
amid our afflictions. 

SONG XXVI. 

Sing this as the Twenty -fourth Song, 

1. 

I am the man, who (scourged in thy wrath) 
Have in all sorrows throughly tired been : 
Into obscurity he led me hath ; 
He brought me thither, where no light is seen; 



112 

And so adverse to me himself he shows, 
That all the day his hand doth me oppose* 



My flesh and skin with age he tired out ; 

He bruis'd my bones, as they had broken been] 

He with a wall enclosed me about, 

With cares and labours he hath shut me in : 

And me to such a place of darkness led, 

As those are in, that be for ever dead. , 

3. 

He shut me where I found no passage out, 
And there my heavy chains upon me laid -, 
Moreover, though I loudly cried out, 
He took no heed at all for what I pray'd : 
My way with hewed stones he stopped hath, 
And left me wand' ring in a winding path. 

4. 

He was to me like some way-lying bear ; 
Or as a lion that doth lurk unseen ; 
My course he hind'ring, me in pieces tare, 
Till I quite ruin'd and laid waste had been. 
His bow he bended, and that being bent, 
I was the mark at which his arrow went. 



113 

5. 

His arrows from his quiver forth he caught, 
And through my very reins he made them pass : 
E'en mine own people set me then at naughty 
And all the day their sporting song I was. 
From him my fill of bitterness I had, 
And me with wormwood likewise drunk he made. 

6. 

With stones my teeth he all to pieces brake 
He dust and ashes over me hath strown $ 
All rest he from my weary soul did take, 
As if contentment I had never none. 
And then I cried, Oh ! I am undone ! 
All my dependance on the Lord is gone ! 

7. 
Oh mind thou my afflictions and my care, 
My miseries, my wormwood, and my gall 
For they still fresh in my remembrance are, 
And down in me my humbled soul doth fall. 
I this forget not 5 and when this I mind. 
Some help again I do begin to find. 

8. 

It is thy mercy, Lord, that we now be, 
For had thy pity fail'd, not one had liv'd, 



114 

The faithfulness is great that is in thee, 
And ev'ry morning it is new reviv'd : 
And, Lord, such claim my soul unto thee lays, 
That she will ever trust in thee, she says. 

For thou art kind to those that wait thy will, 

And to their souls, that after thee attend : 

Good therefore is it, that in quiet still, 

We hope that safety, which thou, Lord, wilt send, 

And happy he, that timely doth enure 

His youthful neck the burden to endure. 

10. 

He down will sit alone, and nothing say ; 
But since 'tis cast upon him, bear it out : 
(Yea, though his mouth upon the dust they lay) 
And while there may be hope will not misdoubt. 
His cheek to him that smite th offers he, 
And is content, though he reviled be. 

11. 

For sure is he (whatever doth befall) 
The Lord will not forsake for evermore \ 
But that, he having punish'd, pity shall, 
Because he many mercies hath in store. 
For God in plaguing take no pleasure can, 
Nor willingly afflicteth any man. 






115 

12. 

The Lord delighteth not to trample down 
Those men that here on earth enthralled are; 
Or that a righteous man should be overthrown, 
When he before the Highest doth appear. 
Nor is the Lord well-pleased in the sight, 
When he beholds the wrong subvert the right. 

13. 

Let no man mutter then, as if he thought 
Some things were done in spite of God's decree $ 
For all things at his word to pass are brought, 
That either for our good or evil be. 
Why then lives man, such murmurs to begin? 
Oh, let him rather murmur at his sin ! 

14. 

Our own lewd courses let us search and try 5 
We may to thee again, O Lord, convert. 
To God, that dwelleth in the heav'ns on high,, 
Let us (oh, let us) lift both hand and heart : 
For we have sinned, we rebellious were, 
And therefore was it that thou didst not spare. 

15. 

For this (with wrath o'ershadow'd) thou hast chas'd, 
And slaughter made of us, without remorse ; 
1 2 



116 

Thyself obscured with a cloud thou hast, 
That so our prayers might have no recourse, 
^nd lo, among the heathen people, we 
As outcasts and off-scourings reckon'd be. 

16. 

Our adversaries all (and ev'ry where) 
Themselves with open mouth against us set ; 
On us is fallen a terror and a snare, 
Where ruin hath with desolation met : 
And for the daughter of my people's cares, 
Mine eyes doth cast forth rivulets of tears. 

17. 

Mine eyes perpetually were overflown, 
And yet there is no ceasing of my tears ; 
For if the Lord in mercy look not down, 
That from the heav'ns he may behold my cares^ 
They will not stint : but for my people's sake 
Mine eyes will weep until my heart doth break. 

18. 

As when a bird is chased to and fro, 
My foes pursued me, when cause was none - 7 
Into the dungeon they my life did throw, 
And there they rolled over me a stone. 
The waters, likewise, overflow' d me quite, 
And then, met bought, I perished outright. 



117 

19- 

Yet on thy name, oh Lord ! I called there, 
(E'en when in that low dungeon I did lie) 
Whence thou wert pleased my complaint to hear, 
Not slighting me, when I did sighing cry j 
That very day I called, thou drew'st near, 
And saidst unto me, that I should not fear. 

20. 

Thou, Lord, my soul maintainest in her right $ 
My life by thee alone redeemed was 5 
Thou hast, oh Lord ! observed my despight : 
Vouchsafe thy judgement also in my cause : 
For all the grudge they bear me thou hast seen, 
And all their plots that have against me been. 

21. 

Thou heardst what slanders they against me laid, 
And all those mischiefs they devis'd for me : 
Thou notest what their lips of me have said, 
E'en what their dayly closest whisperings be; 
And how, whene'er they rise, or down do lie, 
Their song and subject of their mirth am I. 

22. 

But, Lord, thou shalt reward and pay them all, 
That meed their actions merit to receive - } 



118 

Thy heavy malediction seize them shall $ 
E'en this, sad hearts, they shall for ever have $ 
And by thy wrath pursued they shall be driven^ 
Till they are chased out from under heaven. 

LAMENT. IV. 

As in the two first Elegies, the Prophet here begins 
by way of exclamation, and most passionately sets 
forth the cause of his complaining by a threefold 
explication : First, by expressing the dignity, sex, 
and age, of the persons miserably perishing in this 
calamity -, as, princes, priests, men, women, and 
children. Secondly, by paralleling their estate with 
that of brute creatures, and their punishment with 
Sodom's. Thirdly, by shewing the horrible effects 
which followed this calamity $ as, the nobility be- 
ing driven to clothe themselves from the dunghill, 
and women to feed on their own children, &c. 
After this he sheweth what are the causes of all 
that misery which he bewaileth. Secondly, declar- 
eth the vanity of relying on temporal consolations. 
Thirdly, setteth forth the power and fierceness of 
the Church's adversaries. Fourthly, prophesieth 
£hat even Christ was to suffer the fury of their ma- 



119 

lice, before God's wrath could be appeased. And 
lastly, assureth that the Church shall be at length 
delivered, and her enemies rewarded according to 
their wickedness. This Song may be sung to set 
before our eyes the severity of God's wrath against 
sin, to win us to repentance, and to comfort us 
upon our conversions. 

SONG XXVII. 

Sing this as the Fifth Song, 



How dim the gold doth now appear ! 
(That gold, which once so brightly shone : ) 
About the city, here and there, 
The sanctuary- stones are thrown. 
The sons of Sion, late compar'd 
To gold (the richest in esteem) 
Like potsheards are, without regard, 
And base as earthen vessels seem. 

2. 

The monsters of the sea have care 
The breasts unto their young to give 5 
But crueller my people are 5 
And, Estridge-like, in deserts live. 



120 

With thirst the sucklings' tongues are dry, 
And to their parched roofs they cleave : 
For bread young children also cry, 
But none at all they can receive. 

3. 

Those, that were us'd to dainty fare, 
Now in the streets half- starved lie : 
And they, that once did scarlet wear, 
Now dunghill rags about them tie. 
Yea, greater plagues my people's crime 
Hath brought on them, than Sodom's were \ 
For that was sunk in little time, 
And no prolonged death was there. 



Her Nazarites, whose whiteness was 
More pure than either milk or snow, 
Whose ruddiness did rubies pass, 
Whose veins did like the sapphire show, 
Now blacker than the coal are grown} 
And in the streets unknown are they : 
Their flesh is clung unto the bone, 
And like a stick is dried away. 



Such, therefore, as the sword hath slain, 
Are far in better case than those, 



121 

Who death for want of food sustain, 
Whilst in the fruitful field it grows. 
<Fov when my people were distress' d, 
E'en women (that should pity take) 
With their own hands their children dress'd, 
That so their hunger they might slake. 

6. 

The Lord accomplish 'd hath his wrath 5 
His fierce displeasure forth is pour'dj 
A fire on Sion set he hath, 
Which e'en her ground-work hath devoured -, 
When there was neither earthly king, 
Nor, through the whole worlds one of all 
Thoughts my foe to pass could bring, 
That thus Jerusalem should fall. 

7. 

But this hath happened for the guilt 
Of those that have her prophets been; 
And those, her wicked priests, that spilt 
The blood of innocents therein. 
Along the streets they stumbling went, 
(The blindness of these men was such) 
And so with blood they were besprent, 
That no man would their garments touch. 



122 

8. 

Depart, depart ('twas therefore said) 
From these pollutions get ye far; 
So, wand'ring to the heathen, fled, 
And said there was no biding there. 
And them the Lord hath now in wrath 
Exil'd, and made despised live 3 
Yea, sent their priests and elders hath, 
Where none doth honour to them give. 

9. 

And as for us, our eyes decay' d, 
With watching vain reliefs, we have ; 
'Cause we expect a nation's aid, 
That is unable us to save : 
For at our heels so close they be, 
We dare not in the streets appear ; 
Our end we, therefore, coming see, 
And know our rooting-out is near. 

10. 

Our persecutors follow on, 

As swift as eagles of the sky; 

They o'er the mountains make us run, 

And in the deserts for us lye : 

Yea, they have Christ (our life) betray'd, 

And caus'd him in their pits to fall : 



123 

(E'en him) beneath whose shade, we said, 
We live among the heathen shall. 

11. 

O Edom ! in the land of Huz 
(Though yet o'er us triumph thou may) 
Thou shalt receive this cup from us., 
Be drunk, and hurl thy clothes awayj 
For when thy punishments for sins 
Accomplished, oh Sion, be, 
To visit Edom he begins, 
And publick make her shame will he. 

LAMENT. V. 

In this Elegy the Prophet prayeth unto the Lord 
to remember and consider his people's afflictions, 
acknowledging before him their miseries, and pre- 
senting them unto him as distressed orphans, wi- 
dows, and captives, (by such humiliation) to win 
his compassion. He moveth him also, by repetition 
of the miserable ruin they were fallen into, by the 
noble possessions and dignities they had lost, by the 
base condition of those under whose tyranny they 
were brought, and by the generality of their cala- 



124 

mity, from which no sex, age, nor degree escaped. 
Then (ingenuously confessing their sin to be the 
just cause of all this) glorifieth God, and conclud- 
eth this petitionary Ode with desiring that he would 
both give them grace to repent, and restore them 
to that peace which they formerly enjoyed. This 
elegiacal Song we may sing unto God in the behalf 
of many particular Churches, even in these times ; 
especially if we consider that mystical bondage, 
which the devil hath brought them into ; and ap- 
ply these complaints to those spiritual calamities^ 
which have befallen them for their sins. 



SONG XXVIII. 

Sing this as the Fifth Song. 

1. 

Oh mind thou, Lord, our sad distress j 
Behold, and think on our reproach) 
Oar houses strangers do possess, 
And on our heritage encroach. 
Our mothers for their husbands grieve* 
And of our fathers robb'd are we : 
Yea, money we compell'd to give 
For our own wood and water be. 



125 



In persecution we remain, 
Where endless labour try us doth ; 
And we to serve for bread are fain, 
To Egypt and to Ashur both. 
Our fathers err'd, and, being gone, 
The burden of their sin we bear : 
E'en slaves the rule o'er us have won, 
And none to set us free is there, 

3. 

For bread our lives we hazard in 
The perils which the deserts threat; 
And like an oven is our skin, 
Both soil'd and parch'd for want of meat. 
In Sion wives defiled were, 
Deflowered were the virgins young, 
(Through Judah's cities every where) 
And princes by their hands were hung. 

4. 

Her elders disrespected stood ; 
Her young men they for grinding took ; 
Her children fell beneath the wood, 
And magistrates the gates forsook. 
Their musick young men have forborne 5 
Rejoicing in their hearts is none: 



126 

To mourning doth our dancing turn, 
And from our head the crown is gone. 

5. 

Alas, that ever we did sin ! 
For therefore feels our heart these cares j 
For that our eyes have dimmed been, 
And thus the hill of Sion fares. 
Such desolation there is seen, 
That now the foxes play thereon ; 
But thou for ever, Lord, hast been, 
And without ending is thy throne. 

6. 

Oh, why are we forgotten thus ? 
So long time wherefore absent art ? 
Convert thyself, oh Lord, to us, 
And we to thee shall soon convert. 
Renew, oh Lord, those ages past, 
In which thy favour we have seen ! 
For we extremely are debas'd, 
And bitter hath thine anger been. 



'pJA^s^ia^i^ 



127 
THE PRAYER OF DANIEL. 

Da.n. ix. 4. 

The Prophet Daniel, in this prayer, beseecheth God 
to be merciful unto his people in captivity : and 
these four things are principally considerable there- 
in : First, an acknowledgement of God's power, 
justice, and mercy, with a confession that, from 
the highest to the lowest, they had broken his com- 
mandments, and were therefore justly punished. 
Secondly, it is confessed, that as their punishment 
is that which they deserved, so it is also the same 
that was foretold should come upon them. Thirdly, 
he beseecheth that God, for his own mercy's sake, 
and the sake of his Messias, would (nevertheless) 
be merciful unto them ; as well in regard he had 
heretofore gotten glory by delivering them, as in 
respect they were his own elected people, and were 
already become a reproach unto their neighbours. 
This may be sung whensoever any of those judg- 
ments are poured out on the commonwealth, which 
the prophets have threatened for sin; or in our par- 
ticular afflictions, we having first applied it by our 
meditations. 

xunnuxnnn 



128 

SONG XXIX. 

Sing this as the Twenty -second Song. 

1. 

Lord God Almighty! great, and full of fear; 
Who always art from breach of promise free, 
And never failing to have mercy there, 
Where they observe thy laws, and honour thee : 
We have transgressed, and amiss have done; 
We disobedient and rebellious were ; 
For from thy precepts we astray are gone, 
And we departed from thy judgments are. 

2. 

We did thy servants' prophecies withstand, 
Who to our dukes, our kings, and fathers came, 
When they to all the people of the land 
Proclaimed forth their message in thy name. 
In thee, oh Lord ! all righteousness appears, 
But public shame to us doth appertain $ 
E'en as with them of Judah now it fares* 
And those that in Jerusalem remain. 

3. 

Yea, as to Israel now it doth befall, 

Throughout those lands in which they scattered be ? 



129 

For that their great transgression* wherewithal! 
They have transgressed,, and offended thee. 
To us, our kings, our dukes, and fathers, doth 
Disgrace pertain (oh Lord) for angering thee : 
Yet mercy, Lord our God, and pardon, both 
To thee belong, though we rebellious be. 

4. 

We did (indeed) perversely disobey 

Thy voice (oh Lord our God,) and w r ould not hear 

To keep those laws thou didst before us lay, 

By those thy servants, who thy prophets were. 

E'en all that of the race of Israel be, 

Against thy law have grievously mis done ; 

And that they might not listen unto thee, 

They backward from thy voice, oh Lord, are gone. 

5. 

On them, therefore, that curse and oath descended, 
Which in the law of Moses written was ; 
(The servant of that God whom we offended,) 
And now his speeches he hath brought to passj 
On us, and on our judges, he doth bring 
That plague, wherewith he threatened us and them ; 
For under heaven was never such a thing, 
As now is fallen upon Jerusalem. 

K 



130 

6. 

As Moses' written law doth bear record, 
Now all this mischief upon them is brought. 
And yet we prayed not before the Lord, 
That, leaving sin, we might his truth be taught : 
For which respect, the Lord in wait hath laid, 
That he on us inflict this mischief might : 
And sith his holy word we disobey' d, 
In all his doings he remains upright. 

7 
But now, oh Lord our God, who from the land 
Of cruel Egypt brought thy people hast -, 
And by the power of thy almighty hand, 
Atchiev'd a name, which to this day doth last ; 
Though we have sinned in committing ill, 
Yet, Lord, by that pure righteousness in thee, 
From thy Jerusalem, thy holy hill, 
Oh let thy wrathful anger turned be ! 

8. 

For through the guilt of our displeasing sin, 
And for our fathers' faults, Jerusalem, 
(Thy chosen people) hath despised been, 
And are the scorn of all that neighbour them. 
Now, therefore, to thy servant's prayer incline ; 
Hear thou his suit, oh God, and let thy face, 



131 

(E'en for the Lord's dear sake) vouchsafe to shine 
Upon thy (now forsaken) holy place ! 

Thine ears incline thou (oh, my God) and hear} 
Lift up thine eyes, and us, oh, look upon - 7 
Us, who forsaken with thy city are ; 
That city, where thy name is called on 5 
For we upon ourselves presume not thus 
Before thy presence our request to make, 
For aught that righteous can be found in us, 
But for thy great and tender mercy's sake. 

10. 

Lord, hear (forgive, oh Lord) and weigh the same ; 
Oh, Lord, perform it, and no more defer, 
For thine own sake, my God ; for by thy name, 
Thy city and thy people called are. 



sk^rr? rr? frr SVS \\s VNS3? 



K 2 



132 

THE PRAYER OF JONAH. 

Jonah ii. 

Jonah,, flying from God, and being preserved in a 
fish's belly, when he was cast into the sea, made 
this Prayer to praise God for delivering him in so 
great an extremity. And the principal things re- 
markable therein are these : First, the place where 
he prayed : Secondly, the terrible danger that en- 
closed him : Thirdly, the despair he was nigh fall- 
ing into : Fourthly, God's mercy, with the Prophet's 
timely application thereof, and the comfort it in- 
fused into him : Fifthly, the occasions drawing men 
into such perils : Sixthly, the vow made upon his 
deliverance, and the reason of that vow. This bu- 
rial of Jonas in the fish's belly, and his deliverance 
from thence, was a type of the burial and resur- 
rection of our blessed Saviour, Matth. xii. 4. This 
Prayer, therefore, we ought not only to sing his- 
torically, to memorize this wondrous work of God, 
but to praise him also for the Resurrection of Christ, 
and raising mankind from that fearful and bottom- 
less gulf of perdition, wherein it lay swallowed up, 
without possibility of redeeming itself. 



133 

SONG XXX. 

Si?ig this as the Twenty -fourth Song. 

1. 

In my distress to thee I cried,, oh Lord ! 
And thou wert pleased my complaint to hear : 
Out from the bowels of the grave I roar'd, 
And to my voice thou didst incline thine ear : 
For I amid the raging sea was cast, 
And to the bottom there thou plung'd me hast. 



The floods did round about me circles make ; 
Thy waves and billows overflow' d me quite 5 
And then unto myself (alas) I said, 
I am for evermore depriv'd thy sight: 
Yet once again thou pleased art, that I 
Should to thy holy temple lift mine eye. 

3. 

E'en to my soul the waters clos'd me had; 
O'erswallow'd by the deeps, I fast was pent : 
About my head the weeds a wreath had made 3 
Unto the mountains' bottoms down I went; 
And so, that forth again I could not get, 
The earth an everlasting bar had set. 



134 



Then thou, oh Lord my God, then thou wert he, 
That from corruption didst my life defend : 
For when my soul was like to faint in me, 
Thou thither didst into my thought descend. 
And, Lord, my prayer thence to thee I sent,, 
Which upward to thy holy temple went. 

5. 

Those who believe in vain and foolish lies, 
Despisers of their own good safety be ; 
But I will offer up the sacrifice 
Of singing praises with my voice to thee : 
And I will that perform, which vow'd I have, 
For unto thee belongs it, Lord, to save. 

THE PRAYER OF HABAKUK. 

Habak. iii. 

In this petitionary and prophetical Hymn, the De- 
liverer of mankind is first prayed for. Secondly, the 
glorious majesty of his coming is described by ex- 
cellent allegories, and by allusions to former deli- 
verances vouchsafed to the Jews. Thirdly, here is 



135 

foretold the overthrow of Antichrist, who shall be 
destroyed by the brightness of our Saviour's com- 
ing. Fourthly, here is set forth the state of the 
latter times. Fifthly, he expresseth the joy, con- 
fidence, and safety of the elect of God, even amid 
those terrors that shall await upon their Redeemer's 
coming. This Song is to be sung historically, in 
commemoration of the Church's deliverance by the 
first coming of Jesus Christ : and prophetically, to 
comfort us concerning that perfect delivery, assured 
at his second coming. For though the Prophet had 
some respect to the Jews' temporal deliverance, 
that he might comfort the Church in those times; 
yet the Holy Ghost had principal regard to the spi- 
ritual deliverance of his spiritual kingdom, the holy 
Catholic Church. And to her, and her enemies, 
do the names (of the Church's enemies,) here men- 
tioned, very properly agree. Nay, Cushan, signify- 
ing dark, black, or cloudy, and Midian, which is 
interpreted condemnation, or judgment, better suit 
unto the nature of those spiritual adversaries, whom 
they prefigured, than to those people who were 
literally so called. For none are so fitly termed 
People of Darkness, or of Condemnation, as the 
members of Antichrist, and the spiritual Babylon. 



136 



SONG XXXI. 

1. 

Lord, thy answer I did hear, 
And I grew therewith afeard; 
When the times at fullest are, 
Let thy work be then declar'd : 
When the time, Lord, full doth grow, 
Then in anger mercy show. 

2. 

God Almighty he carne down -, 
Down he came from Theman-ward ; 
And the matchless Holy One, 
From Mount Paran forth appear' d, 
Heav'n o'erspreading with his rays, 
And earth filling with his praise. 

3. 

Sun-like was his glorious light 5 
From his side there did appear 
Beaming rays, that shined bright 5 
And his power he shrouded there. 
Plagues before his face he sent 5 
At his feet hot coals there went. 



137 

4. 

Where he stood he measure took 
Of the earthy and view'd it well} 
Nations vanish' d at his look ; 
Ancient hills to powder fell : 
Mountains old cast lower were,, 
For his ways eternal are. 

Cushan tents I saw diseas'd, 
And the Midian curtains quake. 
Have the floods, Lord, thee displeas'd } 
Did the floods thee angry make ? 
Was it else the sea that hath 
Thus provoked thee to wrath ? 

6. 

For thou rod'st thy horses there, 
And thy saving chariots through : 
Thou didst make thy bow appear, 
And thou didst perform thy vow * 
Yea, thine oath and promise past 
(To the tribes) fulfilled hast. 

7. 
Through the earth thou rifts didst make, 
And the rivers there did flow: 



138 

Mountains,, seeing thee, did shake, 
And away the floods did go : 
From the deep a voice was heard, 
And his hands on high he rear'd. 

8. 

Both the sun and moon made stay, 
And remov'd not in their spheres : 
By thine arrows light went they, 
By thy brightly shining spears. 
Thou in wrath the land didst crush, 
And in rage the nations thresh » 

For thy people's safe release, 
With thy Christ, for aid went'st thou: 
Thou hast also pierc'd the chief 
Of the sinful household through 5 
And display'd them, till made bare 
From the foot to neck they were, 

10. 

Thou, with javelins of their own, 
Didst their armies leader strike : 
For against me they came down, 
To devour me, whirlwind-like : 
And they joy in nothing more,. 
Than unseen to spoil the poor, 



139 
n. 

Through the sea thou macTst a way. 
And didst ride thy horses there, 
Where great heaps of water lay : 
1 the news thereof did hear, 
And the voice my bowels shook ) 
Yea, my lips a quivering took, 

12. 

Rottenness my bones possestj 
Trembling fear possessed me ; 
I that troublous day might rest : 
For, when his approaches be 
Onward to the people made, 
His strong troops will them invade. 

33. 

Bloomless shall the fig-tree be, 
And the vine no fruit shall yield \ 
Fade shall then the olive-tree -, 
Meat shall none be in the field : 
Neither in the fold or stall, 
Flock or herd continue shall. 

14. 

Yet the Lord my joy shall be, 
And in him I will delight ; 



140 

In my God, that saveth me, 
God the Lord, my only might : 
Who my feet so guides, that I, 
Hind-like, pace my places high , 






141 
THE HYMNS 

OF THE 

NEW TESTAMENT. 

These five that next fallow are the Hymns of the 
New Testament ; between which, and the Songs of 
the Old Testament, there is great difference: for 
the Songs of the Old Testament were either thanks- 
givings for temporal benefits, typifying and signi- 
fying future benefits touching our redemption ; or 
else Hymns prophetically foreshewing those mys- 
teries which were to be accomplished at the coming 
of Christ. But these Evangelical Songs were com- 
posed, not for temporal, but for spiritual things pro- 
mised and figured by those temporal benefits men- 
tioned in the Old Testament, and perfectly fulfilled 
in the New. Therefore, these Evangelical Hymns 
are more excellent than such as are merely prophe- 
tical j in regard the possession is to be preferred be- 
fore the hope, and the end before the means of 
obtaining it. 



142 

MAGNIFICAT, 

Luke i. 46. 

The blessed Virgin Mary, being saluted by the 
Angel Gabriel, and having by the Holy Ghost con- 
ceived our Redeemer Jesus Christ in her womb, 
was made fruitful also, in her soul, by the oversha- 
dowing of that Holy Spirit $ and thereupon brought 
forth this evangelical and prophetical Hymn : where- 
in three things are principally observable. First, she 
praiseth God for his particular mercies and favour 
towards her. Secondly, she glorifies God for the 
general benefit of our redemption. Thirdly, she 
magnifies God for the particular grace vouchsafed 
unto the seed of Israel, according to what was pro- 
mised to Abraham. This is the first Evangelical 
Song ; and was indicted by the Holy Ghost, not 
only to be the Blessed Virgin's Thanksgiving, but 
to be sung by the whole Catholic Church (whom 
she typically personated) to praise God for our re- 
demption and exaltation; and therefore it is wor- 
thily inserted into the Liturgy, that it may be per- 
petually and reverently sung. 



143 

SONG XXXII. 

Sing this as the Third Song. 



That magnify'd the Lord may be, 

My soul now undertakes $ 
And in the God that saveth me 

My Spirit merry makes. 
For he vouchsafed hath to view 

His handmaid's poor degree j 
And lo, all ages that ensue, 

Shall blessed reckon me. 



Great things for me the Almighty does, 

And holy is his name 3 
From age to age he mercy shows, 

On such as fear the same. 
He by his arm declar'd his might, 

And this to pass hath brought, 
That now the proud are put to flight, 

By what their hearts have thought. 



The mighty plucking from their seat, 
The poor he placed there ; 



144 

And for the hungry takes the meat 
From such as wealthy are. 

But,, minding mercy, he hath show'd 
His servant Isr'el grace, 

As he to our forefathers vow'd, 
To Abraham and his race. 



BENEDICTUS. 

Luke i. 68. 

Za chary the Priest, being (upon the birth of his 
son) inspired with the knowledge of our Redeem- 
er's incarnation, sung the second Evangelical Hymn; 
in which two things are especially considerable :— - 
First, he blesseth God, because, through the com* 
ing of Christ, all the promises made unto the Patri- 
archs and Prophets were fulfilled, for the salvation 
of his people. Secondly, he declareth the office 
and duty of his own Son, who was sent before 
to prepare the way of the Lord. This Song the 
Church hath worthily inserted into the Liturgy 
also, and we ought therefore to sing it reverently, 
in memorial of our Saviour's Incarnation ; and to 
praise God for the fulfilling of his promises, and 
that evangelical preparation which he vouchsafed^, 
by sending his Forerunner. 



145 

SONG XXXIII. 

Sing this as the Third Song. 

1. 

Blest be the God of Israel, 

For he his people bought -, 
And in his servant David's house 

Hath great salvation wrought - ? 
As by his Prophets he foretold, 

Since time began to be, 
That from our foes we might be safe. 

And from our haters free. 

2, 

That he might show our fathers grace, 

And bear in mind the same, 
Which by an oath he vow'd unto 

Our father Abraham -, 
That from our adversaries freed, 

We serve him fearless might, 
In righteousness and holiness, 

Our lifetime in his sight. 



And (of the Highest) thee, oh Child ! 
The Prophet I declare, 



146 

Before the Lord his face to go, 

His coming to prepare ; 
To teach his people how they shall 

That safety come to know, 
Which, by remission of their sins, 

He doth on them bestow. 

For it is through the tender love 

Of God alone, whereby 
That day-spring hath to visit us 

Descended from on high -, 
To light them who in darkness sit, 

And in Death's shade abide., 
And in the blessed way of peace 

Their wandering feet to guide. 

THE SONG OF ANGELS, 

Luke ii. 13. 

This is the third Evangelical Song mentioned in 
the New Testament ; and it was sung by a choir of 
Angels (at the birth of our blessed Saviour Jesus 
Christ), whose rejoicing shall be made complete 



147 

by the redemption of mankind. In this Song they 
first glorify God, and then proclaim that happy 
peace and reconciliation, which his Son's Nativity 
should bring unto the world, rejoicing therein j and 
in that unspeakable good- will and dear communion, 
which was thereby established between the god- 
head, the manhood, and them. We therefore ought 
to join with them in this Song, and sing it often, 
to praise God, and quicken faith and charity in our- 
selves. 



SONG XXXIV. 

Thus Angels sung, and thus sing we 5 
To God on high all glory be; 
Let him on earth his peace bestow, 
And unto men his favour show. 

NUNC DIMITTIS. 

Luke ii. 29. 

The fourth Evangelical Hymn is this of Simeon, 
who, being in expectation of the coming of the 
Messias (which, according to Daniel's seventy weeks, 
was in those days to be accomplished), it was re- 
l 2 



148 

vealed unto him, that he should not die till he had 
seen Christ : and, accordingly, he coming into the 
Temple by the Spirit's instigation (when he was 
presented there as the law commanded), both beheld 
and embraced his Redeemer. In this Song, there- 
fore, he glorirleth God for the fulfilling of his pro- 
mise made unto him 5 and joyfully confesseth Jesus 
Christ before all the people. In repeating this Hymn 
we ought also to confess our Redeemer : for Simeon 
was, as it were, the Church's speaker ; and hath 
for us expressed that thankful joy, wherewithal we 
should be filled, when God enlightens us with the 
knowledge and spiritual vision of our Saviour. 

#♦►► ► ► ► ► #4«««<N <►# 

SONG XXXV. 

Sing this as the Third Song. 

Grant now in peace (that by thy leave) 

I may depart, oh Lord! 
For thy salvation seen I have. 

According to thy word : 
That which prepared was by thee, 

Before all people's sight, 
Thy Israel's renown to be, 

And to the Gentiles light. 



U9 

THE 

SONG Of MOSES AND THE LAMB. 

Rev. xv. 3. 

The fifth and last Song recorded in the New Tes- 
tament is this, called by St. John, The Song of 
Moses and the Lamh-, being indeed the effect of 
that triumph Song, which the Saints and blessed 
Martyrs shall sing unto the honour of that Lamb of 
God, which taketh away the sins of the world, 
when they have gotten the victory over Antichrist. 
This Hymn the members of the true Church may 
sing to God's glory, and the increase of their own 
comfort, when they perceive the power of the Al- 
mighty any way manifested upon that adversary. It 
may be repeated also amid our greatest persecu- 
tions, to strengthen our faith, and remember us, 
that whatsoever we suffer, there will come a day, 
wherein we shall have cause to make use of this 
Hymn with a perfect rejoicing. 



SONG xxxvr. 

Sing this as the Thirteenth Song. 

1. 

Oh thou Lord, thou God of might, 
(Who dost all things work aright) 



150 

Whatsoe'er is done by thee, 
Great and wondrous proves to be. 



True thy ways are, and direct, 
Holy King of Saints elect. 
And (oh, therefore) who is there, 
That of thee retains no fear ? 

3. 

Who is there that shall deny 
Thy great Name to glorify ? 
For thou, Lord, and thou alone, 
Art the perfect Holy One. 

4. 

In thy presence nations all 
Shall to adoration fall - y 
For thy judgments now appear 
Unto all men what they are. 



Here end the Hymns of the New Testament, 



151 
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

Exod. XX. 

Althouch the Decalogue be not originally in verse, 
yet among us it hath been heretofore usually sung : 
because, therefore, it may be a means to present 
these precepts somewhat the oftener to remem- 
brance, make them the more frequently repeated, 
and stir up those who sing and hear them to the 
better performance of their duties, they are here 
also inserted, and fitted to be sung. 



SONG XXXVII. 

Sing this as the Fourth Song. 

The Great Almighty spake, and thus said he y 
I am the Lord thy God $ and I alone 
From cruel Egypt's thraldom set thee free : 
And other Gods but me thou shalt have none. 

Have mercy, Lord, and so our hearts incline, 
That we may keep this blessed Law of thine. 

Thou shalt not make an image, to adore, 
Of aught on earth above it, or below : 



152 

A carved work thou shalt not bow before -, 
Nor any worship on the same bestow. 

For I, thy God, a jealous God am known, 
And on their seed the fathers' sins correct, 
Until the third and fourth descent be gone ; 
But them I always love, that me affect. 

Have mercy, Lord, and so our hearts incline. 
That we may keep this blessed Law of thine. 

The Name of God thou never shalt abuse, 
By swearing, or repeating it in vain : 
For him that doth his Name profanely use, 
The Lord will as a guilty- one arraign. 

Have mercy, Lord, and so our hearts incline, 
That we may keep this blessed Law of thine. 

To keep the Sabbath holy, bear in mind ; 
Six days thine own affairs apply thou to 5 
The seventh is God's own day, for rest assigned, 
And thou no kind of work therein shalt do. 

Thou, nor thy child, thy servants, nor thy beast ; 
Nor he that guest-wise with thee doth abide ; 
For after six days labour God did rest, 
And therefore he that day hath sanctify'd. 

Have mercy, Lord, and so our hearts incline, 
That we may keep this blessed Law of thine. 



153 

See that unto thy parents thou do give 
Such honour, as the child by duty owes ; 
That thou a long and blessed life may'st live^ 
Within the land the Lord thy God bestows. 

Have mercy, Lord, and so our hearts incline, 
That we may keep this blessed Law of thine. 

Thou shalt be wary, that thou no man slay : 
Thou shalt from all adultery be clear : 
Thou shalt not steal another's good away : 
Nor witness false against thy neighbour bear. 

Have mercy, Lord, and so our hearts Incline, 
That we may keep this blessed Law of thine. 

With what is thine remaining well apaid, 
Thou shalt not covet what thy neighbour's is -, 
His house, nor wife, his servant, man nor maid, 
His ox, nor ass, nor any thing of his. 

Thy mercy, Lord, thy mercy let us have, 
And in our hearts these Laws of thine engrave. 



^2S3S3S2ese3e3S3SSS3S^ 



154 
THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

Matt. vi. 7- 

The Lord's Prayer hath been anciently and usually 
sung also 5 and to that purpose was heretofore both 
translated and paraphrased in verse ; which way of 
expression (howsoever some weak judgments have 
condemned it) doth no whit disparage or misbeseem 
a Prayer ; for David made many prayers in verse: 
and, indeed, measured words were first devised and 
used to express the praises of God, and petitions 
made to him. Yea, those are the ancient and pro- 
per subjects of poesy, as appears throughout the 
sacred writ, and in the first human antiquities. 
Verse, therefore, dishonours not divine subjects; 
but those men do profane and dishonour verse, who 
abuse it on vain and mere profane expressions. The 
scope and use of this Prayer is so frequently treated 
of, that I think I shall not need to insist thereon in 
this place. 

SONG XXXVIIL 

Sing this as the Third Song, 

Our Father, which in Heaven art, 
We sanctify thy name : 



155 



Thy kingdom come : thy will be done : 

In heaven and earth the same : 
Give us this day our daily bread : 

And us forgive thou so, 
As we on them that us offend 

Forgiveness do bestow : 
Into Temptation lead us not, 

But us from evil free : 
For thine the kingdom, power, and praise 

Is, and shall ever be. 



THE APOSTLES' CREED. 

The effect and use of this Creed is so generally 
taught, that this preface need not be enlarged : and 
as touching the singing and versifying of it, that 
which is said in the preface to the Lord's Prayer 
may serve for both. 

<:■::::•::::.::*::•::::.::.:•:> 

SONG XXXIX. 

1. 

In God the Father I believe, 

Who made all creatures by his word ; 

And true belief I likewise have 

In Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord -, 



156 

Who by the Holy Ghost conceiv'd, 
Was of the Virgin Mary born ; 
Who meekly Pilate's wrongs receiv'd, 
And crucified was with scorn. 



Who died, and in the grave hath lain ; 
Who did the lowest pit descend : 
Who on the third day rose again, 
And up to Heaven did ascend. 
Who at his Fathers right hand there 
Now throned sits, and thence shall come 
To take his seat of judgment here ; 
And give both quick and dead their doom. 

3. 

I in the Holy Ghost believe, 

The holy Church Catholick too, 

(Atfd that the Saints communion have) 

Undoubtedly believe I do. 

I well assured am, likewise, 

A pardon for my sins to gain -, 

And that my flesh from death shall rise, 

And everlasting life obtain. 



157 

A FUNERAL SONG. 

The first stanza of this Song is taken out of St. 
John's Gospel, cap. xi. ver. 25, 2d. The second 
stanza, Job xlx. 25, 26, 2J. The third stanza, 
1 Tim. yi. J, and Job i. 21. The last stanza, Rev. 
xiv. 13. And in the Order of Burial appointed by 
the Church of England, it is appointed to be sung 
or read, as the minister pleaseth : that therefore it 
may be the more conveniently used either way, 
according to the Church's appointment, it is here 
turned into lyric verse. It was ordained to comfort 
the living, by putting them in mind of the Resur- 
rection, and of the happiness of those who die in 
the faith of Christ Jesus. 

SONG XL. 
Sing this as the Ninth Song. 



I am the Life (the Lord thus saith) 
The Resurrection is through me ; 
And whosoe'er in me hath faith, 
Shall live, yea, though now dead he be : 
And he for ever shall not die, 
That living doth on me rely. 



158 

2, 

That my Redeemer lives, I ween, 
And that at last I rais'd shall be 
From earth, and, cover'd with my skin 
In this my flesh, my God shall see. 
Yea, with these eyes, and these alone, 
E'en I my God shall look upon. 

3. 

Into the world we naked come, 

And naked back again we go : 

The Lord our wealth receive we from ; 

And he doth take it from us too : 

The Lord both wills^ and works the same, 

And blessed therefore be his name. 

4. 

From Heaven there came a voice to me, 
And this it will'd me to record ; 
The dead from henceforth blessed be, 
The dead that dieth in the Lord : 
The Spirit thus doth likewise say, 
For from their works at rest are they. 



159 



SONG OF THE THREE CHILDREN. 

This Song hath been anciently used in the Liturgy 
of the Church, as profitable to the stirring up of 
devotion, and for the praise of God : for it earnestly 
calleth upon all creatures to set forth the glory of 
their Creator, even angels, spirits, and reasonable 
creatures, with those also that are unreasonable, 
and unsensible. And this speaking to things with- 
out life is not to intimate that they are capable of 
such like exhortations 5 but rather, that upon con- 
sideration of the obedience which beasts and insen- 
sible creatures continue towards God, according to 
the law imposed at their creation, men might be 
provoked to remember the honour and praise, which 
they ought to ascribe unto their Almighty Creator, 
as well as all his other creatures. 



SONG XLI. 
Sing this as the Ninth Song. 

3. 

Oh ail you creatures of the Lord, 
You Angels of the God most high $ 



160 

You heavens, with what you do afford; 
And waters all above the sky : 

Bless ye the Lovely him praise, adore. 
And magnify him. evermore. 

2. 

Of God, you everlasting Powers, 
Sun, moon, and stars, so bright that show; 
You soaking dews, you dropping showers - 7 
And all you winds of God that blow : 

Bless ye the Lord, him praise, adore, 
And magnify him evermore. 

3. 

Thou fire, and what doth heat contain ; 
Cold winter, and thou summer fair ; - 
You blustering storms of hail, and rain ; 
And thou, the frost-congealing air : 

Bless ye the Lord, him praise, adore, 
And magnify him evermore, 

4. 

Oh praise him both, you ice and snow ; 
You nights and days, do you the same, 
With what or dark or light doth show ; 
You clouds, and ev'ry shining flame . 

Bless ye the Lord, him praise, adore, 
And magnify him evermore. 



161 



Thou earth, you mountains, and you hills, 
And whatsoever thereon grows ; 
You fountains, rivers, springs, and rills $ 
You seas, and all that ebbs and flows : 

Bless ye the Lord, him praise, adore, 
And magnify him evermore. 

6. 

You whales, and all the water yields 5 
You of the feather'd airy breed ; 
You beasts and cattle of the fields 5 
And you that are of human seed : 

Bless ye the Lord, him praise, adore, 
And magnify him evermore. 

7. 

Let Israel the Lord confess ; 
So let his priests, that in him trust j 
Him let his servants also bless ; 
Yea, souls and spirits of the just : 

Bless ye the Lord, him praise, adore, 
And magnify him evermore^ 

8. 

You blessed Saints, his praises tell < 9 
And you, that are of humble heart, 



162 

With Ananias, Misael ; 
And Azarias (bearing part) : 

Bless you the Lord, him praise, adore, 
And magnify him evermore. 

THE SONG OF ST. AMBROSE; 

OR TE DEUM. 

This Song, commonly called Te Beum, or the Song 
of St. Ambrose, was repeated at the baptizing of St. 
Augustine 5 and (as it is recorded) was composed 
at that very time by those two reverend Fathers, 
answering one another, as it were by immediate in- 
spiration. It is one of the most ancient Hymns of 
the Christian Church, excellently praising and con- 
fessing the blessed Trinity -, and therefore is daily 
and worthily made use of in our Liturgy, and reck- 
oned among the sacred Hymns. 

SONG XLIL 

Sing this as the Forty-fourth So?ig. 

I. 

We praise thee, God, we knowledge thee 
To be the Lord, for evermore : 



163 

And the eternal Father we, 
Throughout the earth, do thee adore : 
All Angels, with all powers within 
The compass of the heavens high ; 
Both Cherubin, and Seraphin, 
To thee perpetually do cty. 

2. 

Oh holy, holy, Holy One, 
Thou Lord and God of Sabbath art 5 
Whose praise and majesty alone 
Fills heaven and earth in ev'ry part : 
The glorious troop apostolick, 
The Prophets' worthy company 5 
The Martyrs' army royal eke 
Are those whom thou art praised by. 



Thou through the holy Church art known, 
The Father of unbounded power : 
Thy worthy, true, and only Son : 
The Holy Ghost the Comforter : 
Of glory, thou, oh Christ, art King -, 
The Father's Son, for evermore ; 
Who men from endless death to bring 
The Virgin's womb didst not abhor 

m 2 



1 64 



When Conqueror of Death thou wert, 

Heaven to the faithful openedst thou ; 

And in the Father's glory art 

At God's right hand enthroned now : 

Whence we believe that thou shalt come 

To judge us in the day of wrath. 

Oh, therefore, help thy servants, whom 

Thy precious blood redeemed hath. 

5. 

Them with those saints do thou record, 
That gain eternal glory may : 
Thine heritage and people, Lord, 
Save, bless, guide, and advance for aye. 
By us thou daily prais'd hast been, 
And we will praise thee without end. 
Oh keep us, Lord, this day from sin, 
And let thy mercy us defend. 

6. 

Thy mercy, Lord, let us receive., 
As we our trust repose in thee: 
Oh, Lord, in thee I trusted have y 
Confounded never let me be. 



165 



ATHANASIUS'S CREED; 

OR; QUICUNQUE VULT. 

This Creed was composed by Athanasius (after the 
wicked heresy of Arius had spread itself through the 
world), that so the faith of the Catholic Church, 
concerning the mystery of the blessed Trinity, might 
be the better understood, and professed, to the over- 
throw and preventing of Arianism, or the like here- 
sies. And to the same purpose it is appointed to be 
said or sung upon certain days of the year in the 
Church of England. 

SONG XLIII. 

Sing this as the Third So??g. 

1. 

Those that will saved be, must hold 

The true Catholick Faith, 
And keep it wholly, if they would 

Escape eternal death. 
Which faith a Trinity adores 

In One, and One in Three : 
So, as the substance being one, 

Distinct the persons be. 



166 

2. 

One Person of the Father is, 

Another of the Son, 
Another of the Holy Ghost, 

And yet their godhead one : 
Alike in glory 5 and in their 

Eternity as much 5 
For as the Father, both the Son 

And Holy Ghost is such. 

3. 

The Father uncreate, and so 

The Son and Spirit be : 
The Father he is infinite j 

The other two as he. 
The Father an eternal is, 

Eternal is the Son : 
So is the Holy Ghost 5 yet these 

Eternally but One. 

4. 

Nor say we there are infinites, 

Or uncreated Three ; 
For there can but one infinite 

Or uncreated be. 
So Father, Son, and Holy Ghost 

All three Almighties are; 



167 

And yet not three Almighties though, 
But only One is there. 

5. 

The Father likewise God and Lord ; 

And God and Lord the Son ; 
And God and Lord the Holy Ghost, 

Yet God and Lord but One. 
For though each Person by himself 

We God and Lord confess, 
Yet Christian faith forbids that we 

Three Gods or Lords profess. 

6. 

The Father not begot, nor made; 

Begot (not made) the Son ; 
Made, nor begot, the Holy Ghost, 

But a proceeding One. 
One Father, not three Fathers^ then ; 

One only Son, not three 3 
One Holy Ghost we do confess^ 

And that no more they be, 

7. 
And less, or greater than the rest,. 

This Trinity hath none j 
But they both co-eternal be, 

And equal ev'ry one. 



168 

He therefore that will saved be, 

(As we have said before) 
Must One in Three, and Three in One, 

Believe, and still adore. 

8. 
That Jesus Christ incarnate was, 

He must believe with this ; 
And how that both the Son of God 

And God and Man he is. 
God, of his Father's substance pure, 

Begot ere time was made : 
Man of his mother's substance born, 

When time his fulness had. 

9- 

.Both perfect God, and perfect Man, 

In soul,' and flesh, as we : 
The Father's equal being God, 

As man beneath is he. 
Though God and Man, yet but one Christ j 

And to dispose it so, 
The Godhead was not turn'd to flesh, 

But manhood took thereto. 

10. 

The substance unconfus'd 5 he one 
In person doth subsist : 



169 

As soul and body make one man, 

So God and Man is Christ ; 
Who suffer'd, and went down to hell, 

That we might saved be $ 
The third day he arose again, 

And Heaven ascended he. 

11. 

At God the Fathers right hand there 

He sits ; and at the doom, 
He to adjudge both quick and dead, 

From thence again shall come. 
Then all men with their flesh shall rise, 

And he account require : 
Well-doers. into bliss shall go. 

The bad to endless fire. 

VENI CREATOR. 

This is a very ancient Hymn, composed In Latin 
rhyme, and commonly called Veni Creator, because 
those are the first words of it. By the canons of 
our Church it is commanded to be said or sung at 
the consecration of Bishops, and at the ordination 
of Ministers, &c. It is therefore here translated 
syllable for syllable, and in the same kind of mea- 
sure which it hath in the Latin. 



170 



SONG XLIV. 

l. 

Come Holy Ghost, the Maker, come 5 
Take in the souls of thine thy place 5 
Thou whom our hearts had being from,, 
Oh, fill them with thy heavenly grace. 
Thou art that Comfort from above, 
The Highest doth by gift impart 5 
Thou spring of life, a fire of love, 
And the anointing Spirit art. 

2. 

Thou in thy gifts art manifold; 
God's right-hand finger thou art, Lord : 
The Father's promise made of old ; 
Our tongues enriching by the word. 
Oh ! give our blinded senses light 5 
Shed love into each heart of our, 
And grant the body's feeble plight 
May be enabled by thy power. 

3. 

Far from us drive away the foe, 
And let a speedy peace ensue : 
Our leader also be, that so 
We every danger may eschew. 



171 

Let us be taught the blessed Creed 
Of Father, and of Son, by thee : 
And how from both thou dost proceed, 
That our belief it still may be. 

To Thee, the Father, and the Son, 
(Whom past and present times adore) 
The One in Three, and Three in One, 
All glory be for evermore ! 



SERE ENDS THE FIRST PART OF THE HTMNS 
AND SONGS OF THE CHU8.CE. 



THE 

SECOND PART 

OF THE 

HYMNS AND SONGS 

OF 

THE CHURCH. 

APPROPRIATED TO THE SEVERAL TIMES AND OCCASIONS MOST 
OBSERVABLE IN 

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 



* Every thing hath his season,' saith the Preacher, 
Eccl. iii. And St. Paul adviseth, ' That all things 
should be done honestly, in order,, and to edifica- 
tion/ 1 Cor. xiv. Which counsel the Church reli- 
giously heeding (and how, by observation of times, 
and other circumstances, the memories aud capaci- 
ties of weak people were the better assisted) it was 
provided, that there should be annual commemora- 
tions of the principal mysteries of our redemption : 
and certain particular days were dedicated to that 
purpose, as nigh as might be guessed (for the most 



174 

part) upon those very seasons of the year, in which 
the several mysteries were accomplished. And, in- 
deed, this is not that heathenish or idolatrous heed- 
ing of time, reprehended in Isaiah xlvii. ; nor such 
a Jewish or superstitious observation of days, and 
months, and times, and years, as is reproved by 
St. Paul, Gal. iv. Nor a toleration for idleness, con- 
trary to the fourth commandment $ but a Christian 
and warrantable observation, profitably ordained, 
that things might be done in order, that the under- 
standing might be the better edified 5 that the me- 
mory might be the oftener refreshed ; and that the 
devotion might be the more stirred up. 

It is true, that we ought to watch every hour: 
but if the Church had not by her authority ap- 
pointed set days and hours to keep us awake in, 
some of us would hardly watch one hour: and, 
therefore, those who have zeal according to know- 
ledge, do not only religiously observe the Church's 
appointed times, but do, by her example, voluntarily 
also appoint unto themselves certain days, and hours 
of the day, for Christian exercises. Neither can any 



175 

man suppose this commendable observation of feasts 
(neither burdensome by multitude, nor superstitious 
by institution ) to be an abridgment of Christian 
liberty, who, as he ought to do, believe th that the 
service of God is perfect freedom. We persuade 
not, that one day is more holy than another in his 
own nature ; - but admonish that those be reverently 
and christianly observed, which are, upon so good 
ground, and with prudent moderation, dedicated 
to the worship of God: for, it cannot be denied, 
that even those who are but coldly affected to the 
Church's ordinances in this kind, do nevertheless 
often apprehend the mystery of Christ's Nativity 
and Passion, upon the days of commemorating them, 
much more feelingly than at other times : and that 
they forget also some other mysteries altogether, 
until they are remembered of them by the distinc- 
tion and observation of times used in the Church. 

These things considered -, and because there be 
many, who, through ignorance rather than obsti- 
nacy, have neglected the Church's ordinance in 
this point, here are added (to those Songs of the 



176 

Church which were either taken out of the canonical 
Scripture, or anciently in use) certain other Spiritual 
Songs and Hymns, appropriated to those days and 
occasions which are most observable throughout the 
year. And before each several Hymn is prefixed 
a brief Preface also, to declare their use, and the 
purpose of each commemoration 3 that such, who 
have heretofore through ignorance contemned the 
Church's discipline therein, might behave them- 
selves more reverently hereafter, and learn not to 
speak evil of those things they understand not. 



fc#fc#^#*####<**? 



177 



ADVENT SUNDAY. 

The Advent is that for Christmas, which John 
Baptist was to Christ (even a forerunner for prepara- 
tion) : and it is called the Advent (which signifieth 
coming) because the Church did usually, from that 
time until the Nativity, commemorate the several 
comings of Christ, and instruct the people concern- 
ing them. Which comings are these, and the like: 
His Conception, by which he came into the Virgin's 
womb : His Nativity, by which he came (as it were) 
further into the world: His coming to preach in 
his own person : His coming by his Ministers : His 
coming to Jerusalem : The coming of the Holy 
Ghost : His spiritual coming, which he vouchsafeth 
into the heart of every regenerate Christian : And 
finally, that last coming of his, which shall be unto 
judgment, &c. All which comings are compre- 
hended in these three; his coming to men, into 
men, and against men ; to men, by his Incarnation; 
into men, by Grace ; against men, to Judgment, 



N 



• 178 

SONG XLV. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song. 

1. 

When Jesus Christ incarnate was, 
To be our brother then came he : 
When into us he comes by grace, 
Then his beloved spouse are we : 
When he from Heaven descends again, 
To be our judge returns he then. 



And then despair will those confound, 
That his first comings nought regard 5 
And those, who till the trumpet sound, 
Consume their leisures unprepar'd: 
Curst be those pleasures, cry they may, 
Which drove the thought of this away. 

3. 

The Jews abjected yet remain, 
That his first advent heeded not; 
And those five virgins knock' d in vain, 
Who to provide them oil forgot : 
But safe and blessed those men are, 
Who for his comings do prepare. 



179 

4. 

O let us therefore watch and pray, 
His times of visiting to know 5 
And live so furnish'd, that we may 
With him unto his wedding go : 
Yea, though at midnight he should call, 
Let us be ready, lamps, and all. 

5. 

And so provide before that feast, 
Which Christ his coming next doth mind. 
That he to come, and be a guest 
Within our hearts, may pleasure find ; 
And we bid welcome, with good cheer, 
That coming, which so many fear. 

6. 

Oh come, Lord Jesu, come away 5 
(Yea, though the world it shall deter) 
Oh let thy kingdom come, we pray, 
Whose coming most too much defer : 
And grant us thereof such foresight, 
It come not like a thief by night. 

es©©0©©0©00 



N 2 



180 



CHRISTMAS DAY. 

This day is worthily dedicated to be observed in 
remembrance of the blessed Nativity of our Re- 
deemer Jesus Christ : at which time it pleased the 
Almighty Father to send his only begotten Son into 
the world for our sakes ; and by an unspeakable 
union to join in one person God and Man, without 
confusion of natures, or possibility of separation. To 
express, therefore, our thankfulness, and the joy we 
ought to have in this love of God, there hath been 
anciently, and is yet continued in England (above 
other countries), a neighbourly and plentiful hospi- 
tality in inviting, and (without invitation) receiving 
unto our well-furnished tables, our tenants, neigh- 
bours, friends, and strangers \ to the honour of our 
nation, and increase of amity and free-hearted kind- 
ness among us. But, most of all, to the refreshing 
of the bowels of the poor, being the most Christian 
use of such festivals. Which charitable and good 
English custom hath of late been seasonably re-ad- 
vanced by his Majesty's gracious care, in command- 
ing our Nobility and Gentry to repair (especially at 
such times) to their country mansions. 



181 

SONG XLVI. 

l. 

As on the night before this blessed morn 
A troop of Angels unto Shepherds told, 
Where in a stable he was poorly born, 
Whom nor the earth nor heaven of heavens can hold, 
Through Bethlehem rung, 
This news at their return 5 

Yea, Angels sung, 
That God with us was born : 
And they made mirth, because we should not mourn. 

CHORUS. 

His love, therefore, oh! let us all confess; 
And to the sons of men his woi^ks express. 

2. 

This favour Christ vouchsafed for our sake : 
To buy us thrones he in a manger lay 3 
Our weakness took, that we his strength might take, 
And was disrob'd, that he might us array : 
Our flesh he wore, 
Our sin to wear away : 
Our curse he bore, 
That we escape it may ; 
And wept for us, that we might sing for aye. 

His love, therefore, oh! let us all corf ess ; 
And to the sons of men his works express. 



182 
SONG XLVII. 

ANOTHER FOR CHRISTMAS - DAY. 

Sing this as the Forty-sixth Song. 

1. 

A Song of Joy unto the Lord we sing, 
And publish forth the favours he hath shown : 
We sing his praise, from whom all joy doth spring, 
And tell abroad the wonders he hath done ; 
For such were never since the world begun. 

His love, therefore, oh! let us all confess; 
And to the sons of men his works express. 

2. 

As on this day the Son of God was born, 
The blessed Word was then incarnate made ; 
The Lord to be a servant held no scorn ; 
The Godhead was with human nature clad, 
And flesh a throne above all Angels had. 

His love, therefore, $c. 

3. 

Our sin and sorrows on himself he took, 
On us his bliss and goodness to bestow : 
To visit earth, he Heaven awhile forsook - 3 



183 

And to advance us high, descended low ; 
But with the sinful angels dealt not so. 

His love t therefore, $c. 

4. 

A maid conceiv'd, whom man had never known : 
The fleece was moistened, where no rain had been : 
^ A virgin she remains that had a son : 
The bush did flame that still remained green : 
And this befell, when God with us was seen. 

His love, therefore, Qc. 

5. 

For sinful men all this to pass was brought, 
As, long before, the Prophets had forespoke : 
So he, that first our shame and ruin wrought, 
Once bruis'd our heel, but now his head is broke : 
And he hath made us whole, who gave that stroke. 

His Ime, therefore, §c. 

6. 

The Lamb hath play'd devouring wolves among, 
The morning star of Jacob doth appear ; 
From Jesse's root our tree of life is sprung, 
And all God's words (in him) fulfilled are : 
Yet we are slack his praises to declare. 
His love, therefore, $c. 



184 
THE CIRCUMCISION, 

OE NEW YEAR'S DAY. 

The Church solemnizeth this day, commonly called 
New Year's Day, in memorial of our Saviour's Cir- 
cumcision ; that remembering how, when he was 
but eight days old, he began to smart and shed his 
blood for us, we might praise him for the same; 
and that with due thankfulness, considering how 
easy a sacrament he hath left us (instead of that 
bloody one, which the law enjoined) we might be 
provoked to bring forth the fruits of regeneration. 



SONG XLVIII. 

Sing this as the Forty-fourth So?ig. 



This day thy flesh, oh Christ, did bleed, 

Mark'd by the circumcision- knife 5 

Because the law, for man's misdeed, 

Requir'd that earnest of thy life : 

Those drops divin'd that shower of blood, 

Which in thine agony began : 

And that great shower foreshew'd the flood, 

Which from thy side the next day ran. 



185 

2. 

Then,, through that milder sacrament, 
Succeeding this, thy grace inspire ; 
Yea, let thy smart make us repent, 
And circumcised hearts desire. 
For he that either is baptiz'd, 
Or circumciz'd in flesh alone, 
Is but as an uncircumciz'd, 
Or as an unbaptized one. 



The years anew we now begin, 

And outward gifts receiv'd have we; 

Renew us also, Lord, within, 

And make us new year's gifts for thee : 

Yea, let us, with the passed year, 

Our old affections cast away; 

That we new creatures may appear, 

And to redeem the time essay. 



TWELFTH-DAY, 

OR THE EPIPHANY. 

Twelfth -Day, otherwise called the Epiphany, 
or the Day of Manifestation, is celebrated by the 



186 

Church to the praise of God,, and in memorial of 
that blessed and admirable discovery of our Sa- 
viour's birth, which was vouchsafed unto the Gentiles 
shortly after it came to pass. For as the Shepherds 
of the Jews were warned thereof, and directed to 
the place by an Angel from Heaven $ so the Magi 
of the Gentiles received the same particular notice 
of it by a star in the East, that both Jews and Gen- 
tiles might be left inexcusable, if they came not to 
his worship. This day is observed also in comme- 
moration of our Saviour's Baptism, and of his first 
miracle in Canaan, by which he was likewise ma- 
nifested to be the Son of God. 

«8>©©©©©<8>0©©©©©* 

SONG XLIX. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song. 

1. 

That so thy blessed birth, oh Christ, 
Might through the world be spread about, 
Thy star appeared in the East, 
Whereby the Gentiles found thee out ; 
And offering thee myrrh, incense, gold, 
Thy three- fold office did unfold. 



187 

2. 

Sweet Jesus, let that star of thine, 
Thy grace, which guides to find out thee, 
Within our hearts for ever shine, 
That thou of us found out may'st be : 
And thou shalt be our King, therefore, 
Our Priest and Prophet evermore. 

3. 

Tears, that from true repentance drop, 
Instead of myrrh, present will we : 
For incense we will offer up 
Our prayers and praises unto thee ; 
And bring for gold each pious deed, 
Which doth from saving faith proceed. 

4. 

And as those Wise Men never went 
To visit Herod any more ; 
So , finding thee,, we will repent 
Our courses follow'd heretofore : 
And that we homeward may retire, 
The way by thee we will inquire. 



188 

THE PURIFICATION OF ST. MARY 
THE VIRGIN. 

According to the time appointed in the law of 
Moses, the blessed Virgin fet. Mary reckoned the 
days of Purification, which were to be observed 
after the birth of a male child 5 and then, as the 
law commanded, presented both her son and her 
appointed offering in the Temple. Partly, there- 
fore, in commemoration of that her true obedience 
to the law, and partly to memorize that presenta- 
tion of our Redeemer (which was performed by his 
blessed mother at her Purification) this anniversary 
is worthily observed. 



SONG L. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song. 

1. 

No doubt but she that had the grace, 
Thee in her womb, oh Christ, to bear, 
And did all womankind surpass, 
Was hallow'd by thy being there ; 
And where the fruit so holy was, 
The birth could no pollution cause. 



189 

2. 

Yet in obedience to thy law, 
Her purifying rites were done, 
That we might learn to stand in awe, 
How from thine ordinance we run j 
For if we disobedient be, 
Unpurified souls have we. 

3. 

Oh keep us, Lord, from thinking vain, 

What by thy word thou shalt command : 

Let us be sparing to complain, 

On what we do not understand ; 

And guide thy Church, that she may still 

Command, according to thy will. 

4. 

Vouchsafe that with one joint consent 
We may thy praises ever sing ; 
Preserve thy seamless robe unrent, 
For which so many lots do fling : 
And grant that, being purified 
From sin, we may in love abide. 

5. 

Moreover , as thy mother went 
(That holy and thrice blessed maid) 



ISO 

Thee in thy Temple to present. 
With perfect human flesh array'dj 
So let us, offer'd up to thee, 
Replenished with thy Spirit be. 

6. 

Yea, let thy Church, our mother dear, 

(Within whose womb new-born we be) 

Before thee at her time appear, 

To give her children up to thee 5 

And take, for purified things, 

Her, and that offering which she brings. 

*b *& *£ *b *$? *b *b *b *b *b ►£ *b *b *h *& *b *b 

THE FIRST DAY OF LENT. 

The observation of Lent is a profitable institution 
of the Church, not abridging the Christian liberty 
of meats, but intended for a means to help to set 
the spirit at liberty from the flesh : and therefore 
this fast consisteth not altogether in a formal for- 
bearance of this or that food, but in a true mortifi- 
cation of the body : for abstinence from flesh only 
(wherein also we ought to be obedient to the higher 
powers) more tendeth to the increase of plenty and 



191 

well-ordering things in the commonwealth, than to 
a spiritual discipline. Because it is apparent we may 
overpamper ourselves, as well with what is permit- 
ted as with what is forbidden $ this commendable 
observation (which every man ought to observe so 
far forth as he shall be able,, and his spiritual neces- 
sity requires) was appointed -, partly to commemo- 
rate our Saviour's miraculous fasting, whereby he 
satisfied for the gluttony of our first parents ; and 
(at this season) partly to cool our wanton blood, 
which at this time of the year is aptest to be en- 
flamed with evil concupiscences ; and partly, also, 
to prepare us the better both to meditate the passion 
of our Saviour, which is always commemorated 
about the end of Lent, and to fit us to receive the 
blessed Sacrament of his Last Supper to our greater 
comfort. 

SONG LI. 

Sing this as the Forty -fourth Song, 

1. 

Thy wondrous fasting to record, 
And our rebellious flesh to tame, 
A holy fast to thee, oh Lord, 
We have intended m thy name : 



Oh sanctify it, we thee pray,, 
That we may thereby honour thee; 
And so dispose us, that it may 
To our advantage also be. 



Let us not grudgingly abstain, 
Nor secretly the gluttons play, 
Nor openly, for glory vain, 
Thy Church's ordinance obey ; 
But let us fast, as thou hast taught, 
Thy rule observing in each part, 
With such intentions as we ought, 
And with true singleness of heart. 

3. 

So thou shalt our devotions bless, 
And make this holy discipline 
A means that longing to suppress, 
Which keeps our will so cross to thine : 
And though our strictest fastings fail 
To purchase of themselves thy grace, 
Yet they to make for our avail 
(By thy deservings) shall have place. 

4. 

True fasting helpful oft hath been, 
The wanton flesh to mortify; 



193 

But takes not off the guilt of sin, 
Nor can we merit ought thereby: 
It is thine abstinence, or none, 
Which merit favour for us must 5 
For when our glorioust works are done, 
We perish, if in them we trust. 

THE ANNUNCIATION OF MARY. 

The Church hath dedicated this day to memo- 
rise the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin St. 
Mary, who was about this time of the year saluted 
by the Angel Gabriel^ and we ought to sanctify it 
with praising God for that inexpressible mystery of 
our Saviour's conception, which was the happy news 
the holy Angel brought unto his mother. Nothing 
in the world is more worthy to be spoken of than 
this favour, and yet nothing more unspeakable. 

SONG LII. 

Sing this as the Forty-fourth Song. 

1. 

Our hearts, oh blessed God, incline, 
Thy true affection to embrace ; 



194 

And that humility of thine, 
Which for our sakes vouchsafed was, 
Thy goodness teach us to put on, 
As with our nature thou wert clad; 
And so to mind what thou hast done, 
That we may praise thee, and be glad. 

2. 

For thou not only held'st it meet 
To send an angel from above, 
An humble maid on earth to greet, 
And bring the message of thy love : 
But laying (as it were) aside 
Those glories none can comprehend, 
Nor any mortal eyes abide, 
Into her womb thou didst descend. 

3. 

Bestow thou also thy respect 
On our despis'd and low degree ; 
And, Lord, oh, do not us neglect, 
Though worthy of contempt we be : 
But through thy messengers prepare 
And hallow so our hearts, we pray, 
That thou conceived being there, 
The fruits of faith bring forth we may. 



195 

PALM SUNDAY. 

Palm Sunday is so called, by reason it was upon 
that day in which Jesus riding to Jerusalem (ac- 
cording to the Prophets), the people strewed the 
way for him with their garments, and the branches 
of the Palm Tree. And, indeed, it was in a man- 
ner the day of proclaiming him King, as the Friday 
following was the day of his coronation. Worthily, 
therefore, is it commemorated 5 and many excel- 
lent mysteries are thereby brought to remembrance, 
which, but for this anniversary, most would forget, 
and many, perhaps, never come to know. 

*♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ * 

SONG LIII. 

Sing this as the Third Song. 

1. 

When Jesus to Jerusalem, 
(And there to suffer) rode, 
The people all the way for him 
With palm and garments stTOw'd : 
And though he did full meekly ride. 
And poorly on an ass, 
o 2 



195 

" Hosanna to the King!" they cried, 
As he along did pass. 

2. 

His glory, and his royal right, 

(E'en by a power divine) 

As if, in worldly pomp's despite, 

Through poverty did shine 5 

And though the greater sort did frown, 

He exercis'd his power, 

Till he himself did lay it down, 

At his appointed hour. 

3. 

Possession of his house he got, 

The merchants thence expell'd $ 

And though the priests were mad thereat, 

His lectures there he held. 

Oh ! how should any be so dull, 

To doubt who this might be ? 

When they did things so wonderful, 

And works so mighty, s ee. 



Lord, when to us thou drawest nigh, 
Instruct us thee to know 5 
And to receive thee joyfully, 



197 

How mean so ere in show : 

Yea, though the rich and worldly-wise, 

When we thy praises sing, 

Both thee, and us, therefore despise, 

Be thou approv'd our King. 



THURSDAY BEFORE EASTER. 

As upon this day our blessed Saviour, eating the 
Passover with his disciples, instituted the blessed 
Sacrament of his Last Supper ; afterward he washed 
their feet ; prayed for them, and for the faithful ge- 
neration ; instructed them; confuted them; warned 
them of what should come to pass, both concerning 
themselves, and his own death and resurrection ; 
promised to send them a Comforter; and expressed 
many other excellent things for the confirmation of 
their faith. Then departing to a garden, he pray- 
ing, fell into his most bitter agony, which having 
overcome, he was that night betrayed, and for- 
saken of all his disciples. In commemoration of 
which passages, the Church holds this yearly as- 
sembly, that our pious affections towards our Re- 
deemer may be stirred up, to his glory, an<i our 
comfort. 



1QS 

SONG LIV. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song, 

1. 

A holy Sacrament this day, 
To us thou didst, oh Lord, bequeath $ 
That by the same preserve we may 
A blest memorial of thy death ; 
Whereof, oh, let us so partake, 
We may with thee one body make. 



Thy Holy Supper being done, 

The last which thou vouchafed'st here. 

By thee the feet of every one 

Of thy disciples washed were ; 

To which humility of thine, 

Our haughty minds do thou incline, 

3. 

The rest of that day thou didst use, 
To pray, to comfort, and advise : 
Ncne might, when thou wert gone, abuse 
Thy friends, or make of them a prize ; 
Yet when thy pleasure thou hadst said, 
By one of thine thou wert betray'd. 



199 

4. 

And lo, that night they all did fly, 
Who sate so kindly by thy side 5 
E'en he, that for thy love would die, 
With oaths, and curses, thee deny'd 5 
Which to thy soul more nigh did go, 
Than all the wrongs thy foes could do. 

5. 

Sweet Jesus, teach us to conceive, 
How near unto thy heart it strook, 
When thy beloved thee did leave, 
And thou didst back upon him look r 
We may hereafter nigh thee keep, 
And for our past denials weep. 

6. 

Yea, let each passage of this day 
Within our hearts be graven so, 
That mind them we for ever may, 
And still thy promise trust unto : 
So our affections shall to thee, 
In life and death, unchanged be. 

00000000* 



200 

FRIDAY BEFORE EASTER. 

This day we commemorate the unsufTerable pas- 
sion of Jesus Christ, our blessed Redeemer; who 
was at this season of the year despitefully cruci- 
fied by Pilate, and the Jews. Every day we ought 
seriously. to think upon it by ourselves ; but this day 
we ought to meet about it in the public assemblies, 
that we might provoke each other to compunction 
of heart -, to renew the memory of it ; and to move 
those that have not yet taken notice thereof, to 
come along with us to hear the story of his un- 
matchless sorrow, who for the love of us took upon 
himself those punishments which our wickedness 
deserved. 

SONG LV. 

Sing this as the Twenty -fourth Song. 



You that like heedless strangers pass along, 
As if nought here concerned you to day; 
Draw nigh, and hear the saddest passion song, 
That ever you did meet with in your way: 
So sad a story ne'er was told before, 
Nor shall there be the like for evermore. 



lOi 



2. 

The greatest, King that ever wore a crown, 
More than the basest vassal was abus'd; 
The truest lover that was ever known, 
By them he lov'd was most unkindly us'd : 
And he that liv'd from all transgressions clear, 
Was plagu'd for all the sins that ever were. 

3. 

E'en they, in pity of whose fall he wept, 
Wrought for his ruin, whilst he sought their good ; 
And watched for him, when they should have slept, 
That they might quench their malice in his blood : 
Yet, when their bonds from him he could have throv 
To save their lives he deign' d to lose his own. 

4. 

Those, in whose hearts compassion should have been ; 

Insulted o'er his poor afflicted soul ; 

And those that nothing ill in him had seen, 

As guilty, him accus'd of treason foul : 

Nay, him, that never had one idle thought, 

They for blaspheming unto judgment brought, 

5. 

Where, some to ask him vain demands begin ; 
And some to make a sport with him devise : 



202 

Some at his answers and behaviour grin, 

And some do spit their filth into his eyes : 

Some give him blows, some mock, and some revile, 

And he, good heart, sits quiet all the while. 

6. 

Oh that, where such a throng of men should be, 
No heart was found, so gentle to relent ! 
And that so good and meek a Lamb as he 
Should be so us'd, and yet no tear be spent! 
Sure, when once malice fills the heart of man, 
Nor stone, nor steel, can be so hardened then. 



For, after this, his clothes from him they strip t, 
And then, as if some slave this Lord had been, 
With cruel rods and scourges him they whipt, 
Till wounds were over all his body seen : 
In purple clad, and crowned too with thorn, 
They set him forth, and honour'd him in scorn. 

8. 

And, when they saw him in so sad a plight, 
As might have made a flinty heart to bleed, 
They not a whit recanted at the sight, 
But in their hellish fury did proceed : 
Away with him ! Away with him ! they saidf 
And, Crucify him ! Crucify him! cried. 



203 

9- 

A cross of wood, that huge and heavy was, 
Upon his bloody shoulders next they lay ; 
Which onward to his execution-place 
He carried, till he fainted in the way : 
And when he thither weak and tired came, 
To give him rest, they nail'd him to the same. 

10. 

Oh ! could we but the thousandth part relate, 
Of those afflictions, which they made him bear -, 
Our hearts with passion would dissolve thereat, 
And we should sit and weep for ever here j 
Nor should we glad again hereafter be, 
But that we hope in glory him to see. 

11. 

For while upon the cross he pained hung, 
And was with soul-tormentings also griev'd, 
(Far more than can be told by any tongue, 
Or in the hearts of mortals be conceiv'd) 
Those, for whose sake he underwent such pain, 
Rejoic'd thereat, and held him in disdain, 

12. 

One offer' d to him vinegar and gall ; 
A second did his pious works deride ; 
To dicing for his robes did others fall ; 



And many mock'd him, when to God he cried ; 
Yet he, as they his pain still more procur'd, 
Still lov'd, and for their good the more endur'd. 

13. 

But, though his matchless love immortal were, 

It was a mortal body he had on, 

That could no more than mortal bodies bear ; 

Their malice, therefore, did prevail thereon : 

And lo, their utmost fury having tried, 

This Lamb of God gave up the ghost, and died. 

14. 

Whose death, though cruel unrelenting man 
Could view, without bewailing, or affright ; 
The sun grew dark, the earth to quake began, 
The Temple veil did rend asunder quite; 
Yea, hardest rocks therewith in pieces brake, 
And graves did open, and the dead awake. 

15. 

Oh, therefore, let us all that present be, 
This innocent with moved souls embrace; 
For this was our Redeemer, this was he, 
Who thus for our unkindness used was : 
E'en he, the cursed Jews and Pilate slew, 
Is he alone, of whom all this is true. 



205 

\6. 

Our sins of spite were part of those that day, 
Whose cruel whips and thorns did make him smart \ 
Oar lusts were those that tir'd him in the way 3 
Our want of love was that which pierc'd his heart : 
And still when we forget, or slight his pain, 
We crucify and torture him again. 

B000000000000000012 

EASTER DAY. 

This day is solemnized in memorial of our Saviour's 
blessed Resurrection from the dead ; upon which 
(as the members with their head) the Church began 
her triumph over sin, death, and the devil ; and 
hath, therefore, appointed, that to record this mys- 
tery, and to stir up thankful rejoicings in our hearts, 
there should be an annual commemoration thereof; 
that we might, in charitable feasts and Christian 
glee, express the joy of our hearts to the glory of 
God, to the comfort of our brethren, to the increase 
of charity one towards another, and to the confirma- 
tion of a true joy in ourselves. 



£05 

SONG LVII. 

Sing this as the Forty -fourth Song. 

1. 

This is the day the Lord has made, 
And therein joyful we will be; 
For, from the black infernal shade 
In triumph back return'd is he : 
The snares of Satan, and of Death, 
He hath victoriously undone, 
And fast in chains he bound them hath, 
His triumph to attend upon. 

2. 

The grave, which all men did detest, 
And held a dungeon full of fear, 
Is now become a bed of rest, 
And no such terrors find we there. 
For Jesus Christ hath took away 
The horror of that lothed pit ; 
E'en ever since that glorious day, 
In which himself came out of it. 



His mockings, and his bitter smarts, 
He to our praise and case doth turn, 



207 

And all things to our joy converts, 
Which he with heavy heart hath borne : 
His broken flesh is now our food, 
His blood he shed, is ever since 
That drink, which doth our souls most good, 
, And that which shall our foulness cleanse. 

4. 

Those wounds so deep, and torn so wide, 
As in a rock our shelters are $ 
And that they pierced through his side, 
Is made a dove- hole for his dear $ 
Yea, now we know, as was foretold, 
His flesh did no corruption see ; 
And that hell wanted strength to hold 
So strong, and one so blest as he, 

5. 

Oh let us praise his name therefore, 
(Who thus the upperhand hath won) 
For we had else, for evermore, 
Been lost, and utterly undone : 
Whereas this favour doth allow 
That we with boldness thus may sing 5 
Oh Hell, where is thy conquest now ? 
And thou oh Death, where, is thy stings 



208 



ASCENSION DAY. 

After Jesus Christ was risen from the dead, and 
had many times shewed himself unto his disciples, 
he was lifted from among them, and they beheld 
him ascending up into Heaven, till a cloud took 
him out of their sight. In memory of which Ascen- 
sion, and to praise God for so exalting the human 
nature to his own glory, and our advantage, the 
Church worthily celebrated this day, and hath com- 
menced the observation thereof to her children. 

• OF *JC W V Ttf © 0? 

SONG LVII. 

Sing this as the Third Song. 

1. 

1 o God, with heart and cheerful voice, 

A Triumph Song we sing ; 

And with true thankful hearts rejoice 

In our Almighty King $ 

Yea, to his glory we record, 

(Who were but dust and clay) 

What honour he did us afford 

On his ascending day. 



209 

2. 

The human nature, which of late, 

Beneath the angels was, 

Now raised from that meaner state, 

Above them hath a place. 

And at man's feet all creatures bow, 

Which through the whole world be, 

For at God's right-hand throned now,, 

In glory sitteth he. 

3. 

Our Lord, and Brother, who hath on 
Such flesh, as this we wear, 
Before us unto Heaven is gone, 
To get us places there : 
Captivity was captiv'd then, 
And he doth from above 
Send ghostly presents down to men, 
For tokens of his love. 

4. 

Each door and everlasting gate 
To him hath lifted been $ 
And in a glorious wise thereat 
Our King is enter'd in. 
Whom if to follow we regard, 
With ease we safely may, 
p 



S10 

For he hath all the means prepar'd, 
And made an open way. 

5. 

Then follow, follow on a pace, 

And let us not forego 

Our Captain, till we win the place. 

That he hath scaled unto : 

And for his honour, let our voice 

A shout so hearty make, 

The Heavens may at our mirth rejoice, 

And Earth and Hell may shake. 

PENTECOST, or WHITSUNDAY. 

After our Saviour was ascended, the fiftieth day 
of his Resurrection, and just at the Jews' Feast of 
Pentecost, the Holy Ghost (our promised Com- 
forter) was sent down upon the Disciples assembled 
in Jerusalem, appearing in a visible form, and mira- 
culously filling them with all manner of spiritual 
gifts and knowledge, tending to the divine work 
they had in hand: whereby, they being formerly 
weak and simple men, were immediately enabled 
to resist all the powers of the kingdom of darkness, 



211 

and to lay those strong foundations, upon which the 
Catholic Church now standeth, both to the glory 
of God, and our safety. In remembrance, there- 
fore, of that great miraculous mystery, this day is 
solemnized. 

SONG LVIII. 

Sing this as the Third Song, 

1. 

Exceeding faithful in thy word, 
And just in all thy ways, 
We do acknowledge thee, O Lord, 
And therefore give thee praise : 
For as thy promise thou didst pass, 
Before thou went'st away, 
Sent down thy Holy Spirit was, 
At his appointed day. 

2. 

While thy Disciples, in thy name, 
Together did retire, 
The Holy Ghost upon them came, 
In cloven tongues of fire ; 
That in their calling they might be 
Confirmed from above, 
p 2 



212 

As thou wert, when he came on thee, 
Descending like a dove. 



Whereby those men, that simple were, 
And fearful till that hour, 
Had knowledge at an instant there, 
And boldness arm' d with power $ 
Receiving gifts so manifold, 
That, since the world begun, 
A wonder seldom hath been told, 
That could exceed this one. 

4. 

Now also, blessed Spirit, come, 

Unto our souls appear, 

And of thy graces shower thou some 

On this assembly here : 

To us thy dove-like meekness lend. 

That humbled we may be, 

And on thy silver wings ascend, 

Our Saviour Christ to see. 



Oh, let thy cloven tongues, we pray, 

So rest on us again, 

That both the truth confess we may* 



213 

And teach it other men. 
Moreover, let thy heavenly fire, 
Enflamed from above, 
Burn up in us each vain desire, 
And warm our hearts with love. 

6. 

Vouchsafe thou likewise to bestow 

On us thy sacred peace. 

We stronger may in union grow, 

And in debates decrease : 

Which peace, though many yet contemn, 

Reformed let them be, 

That we may, Lord, have part in them, 

And they have part in thee. 



TRINITY SUNDAY, 

After Arius, and other heretics, had broached their 
damnable fancies, whereby the faith of many, con- 
cerning the mystery of the blessed Trinity, was 
shaken, divers good men laboured in the rooting 
out of those pestilent opinions : and it was agreed 
upon by the Church, that some particular Sunday 
in the year should be dedicated to the memory of 



214 

the Holy Trinity, and called Trinity Sunday, that 
the name might give the people occasion to en- 
quire after the mystery. And moreover ( that 
the pastor of each several congregation might be 
yearly remembered to treat thereof, as necessity re- 
quired) certain portions of the Holy Scripture, pro- 
per to that end, were appointed to be read pub- 
lickly that day. In some countries they observed 
this institution on the Sunday next before, the Ad- 
vent 5 and in other places the Sunday following 
Whitsunday, as in the Church of England. 



SONG LTX. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song. 

1. 

Those, oh, thrice holy Three in One, 
Who seek thy nature to explain, 
By rules to human reason known, 
Shall find their labour all in vain -, 
And in a shell they may intend 
The sea, as well, to comprehend. 

2. 

What, therefore, no man can conceive, 
Let us not curious be to know > 



£15 

But, when thou bid'st us to believe, 
Let us obey, let reason go : 
Faith's objects true, and surer be, 
Than those that reason's eyes do see. 

3. 

Yet, as by looking on the sun, 
Though to his substance we are blind, 
And by the course we see him run, 
Some notions we of him may find : 
So, what thy brightness doth conceal, 
Thy word and works in part reveal. 

4. 

Most glorious essence, we confess, 
In thee, whom by our faith we view, 
Three Persons, neither more nor less, 
Whose workings them distinctly shew : 
And sure we are, those Persons Three 
Make but One God, and thou art he. 

5. 

The sun a motion hath, we know, 
Which motion doth beget us light , 
The heat proceedeth from those two, . 
And each doth proper acts delight : 
The motion draws out time a line, 
The heat doth warm, the light doth shine. 



c 2\6 

6. 

Yet,, though this motion, light, and. heat, 
Distinctly by themselves we take, 
Each in the other hath his seat, 
And but one sun we see they make : 
For whatsoe'er the one will do, 
He works it with the other two. 

So in the Godhead there is knit 

A wondrous threefold true-love-knot, 

And perfect union fastens it, 

Though flesh and blood perceive it not -, 

And what each Person doth alone, 

By all the Trinity is done. 

8. 

Their work they jointly do pursue, 
Though they their offices divide -, 
And each one by himself hath due 
His proper attributes beside : 
But One in substance they are still, 
In virtue one, and one in will. 

9- 

Eternal all the Persons be, 

And yet Eternal there's but One 5 



217 

So likewise Infinite all Three, 
Yet Infinite but One alone : 
And neither Person aught doth miss., 
That of the Godhead's essence is. 

10. 

In Unity and Trinity, 

Thus, oh Creator, we adore 

Thy ever-praised Deity, 

And thee confess for evermore, 

One Father, One begotten Son, 

One Holy Ghost, in Godhead One. 

SUNDAY IN GENERAL, 

Sunday is our natural appellation, the Sabbath the 
Hebrew term, and the Lord's Day the Christian 
name, whereby we entitle God's Seventh Day; and 
(if wilful affectation be avoided) either name is 
allowable. It is a portion of time sanctified by God, 
immediately after the world's creation, and by the 
divine law dedicated to be perpetually observed to 
the honour of our Creator : and though some things 
accidentally pertinent to the observation thereof 
have been changed, yet that which is essential 



218 

thereunto is for ever immutable. Our Saviour hath 
by his Resurrection hallowed for us that which we 
now observe, instead of the Jewish Sabbath, which 
being the day whereon he rested in the grave, the 
observation thereof, and of all other Jewish ceremo- 
nies, was buried with him ; because they were to 
continue but till the accomplishment of those things 
whereof they were types. This is that day wherein 
our Redeemer began (as it were) his eternal rest, 
after he had finished the work of our reparation, 
and conquered Death, the last that was to be de- 
stroyed. This day we ought, therefore, to sanctify, 
according to God's first institution : not Jewishly, 
that is, by a strict or mere outward abstaining from 
the servile works of the body only, according to the 
letter ; but Christianly, to wit, in spirit and truth, 
both inwardly and outwardly y so recreating our bo- 
dies and souls, that we may, with a sanctified plea- 
sure (and, as much as may be, without weariness) 
spend that day to the glory of God, according to 
his command, and the Church's direction; even to 
the use of bodily labours and exercises, whensoever 
(without respect to sensual or covetous ends) a rec- 
tified conscience shall persuade us, that the honour 
of God, the charity we owe to our neighbours, or 
an unfeigned necessity requires them to be done. 



219 

SONG LX. 

Sing this as the Forty-fourth Song. 

1. 

Six days, oh Lord, the world to make, 
And set all creatures in array, 
Was all the leisure thou wouldst take, 
And then didst rest the seventh day : 
That day thou therefore hallowed hast, 
And rightly, by a law divine, 
Which till the end of time shall last, 
The seventh part of time is thine. 

2. 

Then teach us willingly to give 
The tribute of our days to thee ; 
By whom we now both move and live, 
And have attain' d to what we be. 
For of that rest, which by thy word 
Thou hast been pleased to enjoin, 
The profit all is ours, oh Lord, 
And but the praise alone is thine. 

3. 

Oh, therefore, let us not consent 
To rob thee of thy Sabbath Day, 



220 

Nor rest with carnal rest content, 
But sanctify it all we may, 
Yea, grant that we from sinful strife, 
And all those works thou dost detest \ 
May keep a Sabbath all our life, 
And enter thy eternal rest. 

ST. ANDREW'S DAY. 

The holy Church celebrate th this day to glorify 
God for that favour which he vouchsafed unto her 
by the calling and ministry of blessed Andrew his 
Apostle ; and that, by the remembrance of his rea- 
diness to follow and preach Christ, both the honour- 
able and Christian memorial, due to an Apostle, 
might be preserved, and we stirred up also to the 
imitation of his forwardness in our several callings, 
advancing God's honour and gospel: in which ge- 
neral sense every the meanest Christian hath a kind 
of apostleship, to build up (not only in himself, but 
in others also) the temple of the living God, and to 
increase and establish the kingdom of Christ. 

vvvvvvvvv 



221 

SONG LXI. 

Sing this as the Forty-fourth Song. 



As blessed Andrew,, on a day, 
By fishing did his living earn, 
Christ came, and called him away, 
That he to fish for men might learn : 
And no delay thereat he made, 
Nor questions fram'd of his intent, 
But quite forsaking all he had, 
Along with him that call'd he went 

2. 

Oh, that we could so ready be, 
To follow Christ when he doth call ! 
And that we could forsake, as he, 
Those nets that we are snar'd withal : 
Or would this fisherman of men, 
(Who set by all he had so light) 
By his obedience shewed them 
(And his example) win us might. 

3. 

But precepts and examples fail, 

Till thou thy grace, Lord, add thereto j 

Oh grant it, and we shall prevail 



222 

In whatsoe'er thou bid'st us do : 
Yea, we shall then that bliss conceive, 
Which in thy service we may find, 
And for thy sake be glad to leave 
Our nets, and all we have, behind. 

ST. THOMAS'S DAY. 

This day was set apart by the Church, that it 
might be sanctified to the praise of God for his 
holy Apostle St. Thomas, by whose preaching the 
Christian generation was multiplied 5 and that we 
might strengthen the belief we have of our Saviour's 
undeniable Resurrection, by taking a yearly occa- 
sion to refresh our memories with that part of the 
evangelical story, which mentioneth both this Apos- 
tle's doubting, and the confirmation of his faith by 
a sensible demonstration. 



SONG LXII. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song. 

1. 

When Christ was risen from the dead, 
And Thomas of the same was told, 



223 

He would not credit it, he said, 
Though he himself should him behold, 
Till he his wounded hands had eyed, 
And thrust his fingers in his side. 

2. 

Which trial he did undertake, 
And Christ his frailty did permit, 
By his distrusting sure to make 
Such others, as might doubt of it : 
So we had right, and he no wrong, 
For by his weakness both are strong. 

3. 

Oh, blessed God, how wise thou art ! 
And how confoundest thou thy foes! 
Who their temptations dost convert, 
To work those ends which they oppose : 
When Satan seeks our faith to shake, 
The firmer he the same doth make. 

4. 

Thus whatsoe'er he tempts us to, 
His disadvantage let it be 5 
Yea, make those very sins we do, 
The means to bring us nearer thee : 
Yet let us not to ill consent, 
Though colour'd with a good intent. 



22-i 



ST. STEPHEN'S DAY. 

Stephen was one of the seven Deacons mentioned 
Acts vi. and the first Martyr of Jesus Christ; whose 
truth having powerfully maintained by dispute, he 
constantly sealed it with his blood. The Church, 
therefore, hath appointed this anniversary in remem- 
brance thereof, that so God might perpetually be 
glorified for the same ; and the story of his martyr- 
dom the oftener mentioned, to the encouragement 
and direction of other men in their trials. 

SONG LXIII. 

Sing this as the Fourth Song, 

I, 

Lord, with what zeal did thy first Martyr breathe 
Thy blessed truth, to such as him withstood! 
With what stout mind embraced he his death ! 
A holy witness sealing with his blood ! 
The praise is thine, that him so strong didst make, 
And blest is he, that died for thy sake. 



Unquenched love in him appear' d to be, 
When for his murd'rous foes he did intreat j 



% c 25 

A piercing eye made bright by faith had he. 
For he beheld thee in thy glory set ; 
And so unmov'd his patience he did keep, 
He died, as if he had but fallen asleep. 

3. 

Our lukewarm hearts with his hot zeal inflame, 

So constant, and so loving, let us be 5 

So let us living glorify thy name ; 

So let us dying fix our eyes on thee : 

And when the sleep of death shall us o'ertake, 

With him to life eternal us awake. 



ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 

This day is celebrated by the Church to praise 

God for his blessed Evangelist and beloved Disciple, 

St. John, who hath been an admirable instrument 

of his glory, and the Church's instruction : for, the 

mystery of the sacred Trinity, and the Divinity 

of Christ, is by him most plainly expressed in his 

writings, among many other great mysteries and 

excellent doctrines concerning our redemption; for 

which we are bound particularly to honour God, 

and worthily stirred up thereunto by this annual 

commemoration. 

a 



226 

SONG LXIV. 

Sing this as the Forty-fourth Song,, 

1. 

Teach us by his example, Lord, 
For whom we honour thee to day, 
And grant his witness of thy Word 
Thy Church enlighten ever may : 
And as belov'd, oh Christ, he was, 
And therefore leaned on thy breast, 
So let us also in thy grace, 
And on thy sacred bosom rest. 

2. 

Into us breathe that love divine, 
Whose testimony he intends $ 
About us cause thy light to shine, 
That which no darkness comprehends . 
And let that ever-blessed Word, 
Which all things did create of nought,. 
Anew create us now, oh Lord, 
Whose ruin sin hath almost wrought. 

3. 

Thy holy faith we do profess, 
Us to thy fellowship receive $ 



227 

Our sins we heartily confess. 
Thy pardon therefore let us have : 
And as to us thy servant gives 
Occasion thus to honour thee, 
So also let our words and lives 
As lights and guides to others be, 

INNOCENTS' DAY. 

King Herod understanding that a King of the 
Jews was born in Bethlehem Juda ( and fearing 
that by him he might be dispossessed), he mur- 
dered all the young infants of that circuit, in hope 
among them to have slain Jesus Christ : but he was 
sent into Egypt by God's special appointment -, and 
so the tyrant's fury proved vain. In honour, there- 
fore, of the Almighty's providence, the Church ce- 
lebrateth this day $ to put us in mind, also, how 
vainly the Devil and his members rage against God's 
decree; and, that the c r uel slaughter of those poor 
infants may never be forgotten 5 which, in a large 
sense, may be called a Martyrdom j as in the gene- 
rality of the cause (being for Christ), and in the 
passion of the body, though not in the intention of 
the mind: and so in proper sense doth St. Stephen 
hold still the place of the first captain of that band* 

GU2 



22S 

SONG LXV. 

Sing this as the Forty-fourth Song. 

I. 

That rage, whereof the Psalm doth say, 
' Why are the Gentiles grown so mad V 
Appear' d in part upon that day, 
When Herod slain the Infants had : 
Yet (as it saith) they storm'd in vain, 
(Though many Innocents they slew) 
For Christ they purpos'd to have slain, 
Who all their counsels overthrew. 



Thus still vouchsafe thou to restrain 
All tyrants, Lord, pursuing thee - } 
Thus let our vast desires be slain, 
That thou may'st living in us be y 
So whilst we shall enjoy our breath, 
We of thy love our songs will frame ; 
And, with those Innocents, our death 
Shall also glorify thy name. 



In type those many died for one -, 
That one for many more was slain ; 
And what they felt in act alone, 



229 

lie did in will and act sustain. 

Lord, grant that what thou hast decreed,, 

In will and act, we may fulfil , 

And though we reach not to the deed, 

From us, oh God, accept the will. 



THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. 

St. Paul, as appears, Acts ix. having been a great 
persecutor of the Christian faith before his conver- 
sion, was extraordinarily called to embrace the same 
profession, even as he proceeded in a journey pur- 
posely undertaken to suppress the truth : and so, of 
a wolf became afterward a Pastor, and the most la- 
borious Preacher of Jesus Christ : which mercy of 
God, that we may still remember it to the praise of 
his name, and our own comfort, the Church hath 
appointed a yearly commemoration thereof. 

zmxumzuUn 

SONG LXVL 

Smg this as the Forty -fourth Song. 

1. 

A blest conversion, and a strange, 
Was that, when Saul a Paul becime j 



230 

And, Lord, for making such a change, 

We praise and glorify thy name : 

For whilst he went from place to place, 

To persecute thy truth and thee, 

(And running to perdition was) 

By powerful grace calFd back was he. 

2. 

When from the truth we go astray, 
(Or wrong it through our blinded zeal) 
Oh come, and stop us in the way, 
And then thy will to us reveal $ 
That brightness shew us from above, 
Which proves the sensual eye- sight blind j 
And from our eyes those scales remove, 
That hinder us thy way to find. 

3. 

And as thy blessed servant Paul, 

When he a convert once became, 

Exceeded thy Apostles all, 

In painful preaching of thy name : 

So grant that those who have in sin 

Exceeded others heretofore. 

The start of them in faith may win, 

Love, serve, and honour thee the more, 



231 



ST. MATTHIAS. 

Mathias was the Disciple which was chosen in 
the room of Judas Iscariot; and his anniversary is 
commanded to be observed, that it might give us 
continual occasion to praise God for his justice and 
favour j for his justice shewed in discovering and 
not sparing Judas the traitor, abusing his apostle- 
ship ; for his favour, declared in electing Matthias 
a faithful Pastor of the Church. Moreover, the 
remembrance of divers other mysteries is renewed 
by the observation of this day. And by taking oc- 
casion to read publickly the story of Judas' s apos- 
tacy, men are that day put in mind to consider what 
judgments hang over their heads, who shall abuse 
the divine callings, &c. 

«>::::.::::.::o:x:>::.x> 

SONG LXVH. 



When one among the twelve there was, 

That did thy grace abuse, 
Thou leftst him, Lord, and in his place 

Didst just Matthias choose : 
So, if a traitor do remain 

Within thy church to day, 



232 

To grant him true repentance deign, 
Or cast him out, we pray. 



Though horned like the lamb he shew, 

Or sheep-like clad he be, 
Let us his dragon language know, 

And wolfish nature see 5 
Yea, cause the lot to fall on those. 

The charge of thine to take, 
That shall their actions well dispose, 

And conscience of them make. 

3. 

Let us, moreover, mind his fall, 

Whose room Matthias got, 
So to believe, and fear withal, 

That we forsake thee not : 
For titles, be they ne'er so high, 

Or great, or sacred place, 
Can no man's person sanctify, 

Without thy special grace . 



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233 

ST. MARK'S DAY. 

St. Mark, being one of the four blessed Evangelists, 
by whose pen the Gospel of Jesus Christ was record- 
ed 3 this day is purposely appointed to praise God for 
those glad tidings he brought, and that we might 
honour him also with such a Christian memorial, as 
becometh the Ambassador of so great a King as our 
Redeemer : w r hich civil honour, due to the Saints 
of God, it is hoped none will deny them ; nor con- 
ceive such institutions superstitious, or to have been 
.purposed to an idolatrous end. 

SONG LXVIII. 

Sing this as the Forty -fourth Song, 

1. 

For those blest Penmen of thy Word, 
Who have thy holy Gospel writ,, 
We praise and honour thee, oh Lord, 
And our belief we build on it : 
Those happy tidings which it brings, 
With joyful hearts we do embrace, 
And prize, above all other things, 
That precious token of thy grace. 



234 

2. 

To purchase what we hope thereby, 
Our utmost wealth we will bestow j 
Yea, we our pleasures will deny, 
And let our lives and honours go : 
And whomsoe'er it cometh from, 
No other Gospel we will hear $ 
No, though an Angel down should come 
From heav'n, we would not give him ear. 

3. 

Our resolutions, Lord, are such, 
But in performance weak are we 5 
And the deceiver's craft is much ; 
Our second, therefore, thou must be : 
So we assuredly shall know, 
When any doctrines we receive, 
If they agreeing be, or no, 
To those which we professed have, 



•#9?**as*«p«**## 



'23S 

ST. PHILIP AND JACOB. 

This day is celebrated to the honour of God, and 
-the Christian memorial of the two blessed Apostles, 
Philip and Jacob : at which time the Church taketh 
occasion to offer to our remembrance such myste- 
ries, as Christ delivered nnto them, that we might 
the oftener consider them, receive further instruc- 
tion concerning them, and praise God, both for such 
*his favours and for those instruments of his glory. 



SONG LXIX. 

Sing this as the Third Song, 

1. 

To thy Apostles thou hast taught 

What they, oh Christ, should do ; 
And those things which believe they ought, 

Of thee they learned too : 
And that which thou to them hast shewn, 

Hath been disposed thus, 
They unto others made it known, 

And those have told it us. 

> 2. 
With them we do confess and say, 
(What shall not be denied) 



236 

Thou art the Truth, the Life, the Way, 

And we in thee will bide : 
By thee the Father we have known, 

Whom thou descend est from j 
And unto him, by thee alone, 

We have our hope to come. 

3. 

For thou to Philip didst impart, 

(Which our belief shall be) 
That thou within the Father art, 

And that he is in thee ; 
And saidst, whatever in thy name 

We should with faith require, 
Thou wouldst give ear unto the same. 

And grant us our desire. 

4. 

Of thee, oh Lord, we therefore crave, 

(Which thou wilt deign, we know) 
The good belief which now we have 

We never may forego : 
And that thy sacred truth, which we 

Thy Word have learned from, 
From age to age deriv'd may be., 

Until thy kingdom come. 






ST. BARNABAS'S DAY. 

This day is solemnized in commemoration of St. 
Barnabas, a faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ 5 and 
to honour God for the benefit vouchsafed to the 
Church by his ministry 5 for he was a good man, 
full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith, as St. Luke 
testifieth, Acts xi. 24. He was also, by the Holy 
Ghost's immediate appointment (together with Paul) 
separated for the ministry of the Gospel, and con- 
firmed in the Apostleship by the laying on of hands, 
Acts xiii. 2. 



SONG lxx; 

Sing this as the Forty -fourth Song. 

1. 

Thy gifts and graces manifold, 
To many men thou, Lord, hast lent,. 
Both now, and in the days of old, 
To teach them fakh, and to repent : 
Thy Prophets thou didst first ordain, 
And they as legates did appear 5 
Then cam'st thyself, and in thy train 
Apostles for attendants were. 



238- 



For legier, when thou went'st away*. 

The Holy Ghost thou didst appoint 5 

And here, successions, till this day, 

Remain of those he did anoint 5 

Yea, thou hast likewise so ordain' d, 

That to make good what those have taught^ 

An army royal was maintained 

Of Martyrs, who thy battles fought. 

3. 

For those, and him, for whom we thus- 
Are met, to praise thy name to day, 
We give thee thanks, as they for us, 
That should come after them, did pray y 
And by this duty we declare, 
Our faith assures that they and we 
(In times divided though we are) 
Have one communion still with thee* 

ST. JOHN BAPTIST, 

John, called the Baptist, was he (as Christ himself 
testifieth) who was promised to be sent before him 
to prepare his way, Luke vii. 2J, and by his preach- 



239 

ing and baptism the people were accordingly pre- 
pared to receive him that was to follow. He was 
the true expected Elias, and slain by Herod, for 
reproving the incest which the said Herod com- 
mitted., in taking his brother's wife. That we might 
praise God, therefore, for this Forerunner of our 
Saviour (and by his example remember to provide 
for his entertainment) the Church hath set apart 
this day. 

SONG LXXI. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song, 

1. 

Because the world might not pretend 
It knew not of thy coming day, 
Thou didst, oh Christ, before thee send 
A cryer, to prepare thy way : 
Thy kingdom was the bliss he brought, 
Repentance was the way he taught, 

2, 

And, that his voice might not alone 
Inform us what we should believe. 
His life declar'd what must be done, 
If thee we purpose to receive : 
His life our pattern, therefore, make, 
That we the course he took may take. 



vm 

3. 

Let us not gad to Pleasure's court, 
With fruitless toys to feed the mind y 
Nor to that wilderness resort, 
Where reeds are shaken with the wind ; 
But tread the path he trod before, 
That both a Prophet was, and more^ 

4. 

Clad in repentant cloth of hair, 
Let us, oh Christ, (to seek out thee) 
To those forsaken walks repair,. 
Which of so few frequented be : 
And true repentance so intend, 
That we our courses may amend. 

5. 

Let us hereafter feed upon 
The honey of thy Word divine y 
Let us the world's enticement shun, 
Her drugs, and her bewitching wine y 
And on our loins (so loose that are) 
The leather-belt of temperance wear* 

6. 

Thus from the cryer let us learn. 
For thee, sweet Jesus, to prepare, 
And others of their sins to warn, ' 



241 

However for the same we fare : 
So thou to us, and we to thee, 
Shall when thou comest welcome be. 



ST. PETER'S DAY. 

We observe this day to the honour of God, and to 
the pious memory of his blessed Apostle St. Peter 5 
that we may thereby be put in mind to be thankful . 
for those continuing favours received by his minis- 
try 5 that Pastors also may make him their pattern, 
in discharging the charge Christ committeth unto 
them j that by considering his weakness, we may 
all learn not to presume on our own strength 5 and 
that, by his Christian example, we may be taught 
to bewail our escapes with bitter tears of true re- 
pentance. 

SONG LXXIL 

Sing this as the Third Song. 

1. 

How watchful need we to become, 

And how, devoutly pray, 
That thee, oh Lord, we fall not from, 

Upon our trial day : 

R 



242 

For, if thy great Apostle said,, 

He would not thee deny, 
Whom he that very night deny'd, 

On what shall we rely ? 

2. 

For of ourselves we cannot leave 

One pleasure for thy sake ; 
No, not one virtuous thought conceive^ 

Till us thou able make : 
Nay, we not only thee deny, 

When persecutions be, 
But, or forget, or from thee fly, 

When peace attends on thee. 



Oh ! let those prayers us avail, 

Thou didst for Peter deign, 
That when our foe shall us assail, 

His labour may be vain : 
Yea, cast on us those powerful eyes. 

That mov'd him to lament, 
We may bemoan, with bitter cries, 

Our follies, and repent. 

4. 

And grant that such as him succeed, 
For Pastors of thy fold, 



243 

Thy sheep and lambs may guide and feed, 

As thou appoint'st they should : 
By his example speaking what 

They ought in truth to say, 
And in their lives confirming that 

They teach them to obey. 

ST. JAMES'S DAY. 

This day we praise God for his blessed Apostle St. 
James, the son of Zebedeus, who was one of those 
two that desired of Christ they might sit at his 
right hand, and at his left, in his kingdom, as the 
Gospel for the day declare th: and by occasion of 
that ignorant petition (proceeding from their carnal 
weakness) Christ taught both them, and the rest 
of the Apostles, and all other Christians also, what 
greatness best becometh his followers 5 and that we 
are to taste the cup of his passion, before we can be 
glorified with him: so this holy Apostle didj for he 
was slain by Herod, as it is declared in the Epistle 
appointed for the day. 

R 2 



244 

SONG LXXIII. 

Sing this as the Forty-fourth Song. 

I. 

He that his father had forsook, 
And followed Christ at his commands, 
By human frailty overtook, 
For place and vain preferment stands, 
Till by his Master he was taught, 
Of what he rather should have care, 
How undiscreetly he had sought, 
And what his servants honours are. 

2. 

Whereby we find how much ado 

The best men have this world to leave ; 

How, when they wealth and friends forego, 

Ambitious aims to them will cleave : 

And sure this angel-sin aspires 

In such men chiefly to reside, 

That have " put off" those brute desires, 

Which in the vulgar sort abide. 



To thee, oh God, we therefore pray, 
Thy humble mind may in us dwell t 



245 

And charm that fiend of pride away, 
Which would thy graces quite expel v 
But, of all other, those men keep 
From this delusion of the foe, 
Who are the Shepherds of thy sheep, 
And should each good example show. 

4. 

For such as still pursuing be 
That greatness which the world respects, 
Their servile baseness neither see, 
Nor feel thy Spirit's rare effects : 
And doubtless they, who most of all 
Descend to serve both thee and thine, 
Are those, who in thy kingdom shall 
In seats of greatest glory shine. 

ST. BARTHOLOMEW. 

This day is consecrated to the honour of God, and 
the pious memory of his blessed Apostle St. Bartho- 
lomew, that (as appeareth in the Epistle appointed 
for the day) we might take occasion to praise our 
Redeemer for those many wonders which were 
wrought by his Apostles, to the great increase of the 
Christian faith, and open confusion of the Church's 
adversaries. 



246 

SONG LXXIV. 

Sing this as the Ninth Sojig. 

1. 

Exceeding gracious favours, Lord, 
To thy Apostles hast thou shown ; 
And many wonders by thy Word, 
And in thy name, by them were done : 
The blind did see, the dumb could talk, 
The deaf did hear, the lame did wa\k. 



They all diseases took away -, 

The dead to life they did restore ) 

Foul spirits dispossessed they, 

And preach' d the gospel to the poor : 

The Church grew strong, thy faith grew plain, 

Their foes grew mad, and mad in vain. 

3. 

Oh ! let their works for ever be 
In honour to thy glorious name $ 
And by thy power vouchsafe that we 
(Whom sin makes deaf, blind, dumb, and lame) 
May hear thy word, and see thy light, 
And speak thy truth, and walk aright. 



247 

4. 
Each deadly sickness of the soul, 
Let thy Apostles' doctrines cure : 
Let them expel the spirits foul, 
Which make us loathsome and impure, 
That we the life of faith may gain, 
Who long time dead in sin have lain. 

© ^ *b >b *h *b *h £ ^ <s> 4* *£ & *b *b *b ^ *$< >3 3 

ST. MATTHEW. 

St. Matthew, otherwise called Levi, was a pub- 
lican, that is, a custom- gatherer 5 from which course 
of life (being hateful in those countries) he was 
called to the Apostleship, and became also one of 
the four Evangelists : to his religious memory, there- 
fore, and to honour God, for the favour vouchsafed 
(both to him and us) by his ministry, this day is ob- 
served by the Church's authority. 



SONG LXXV. 

Sing this as the Forty-fourth Song. 

1. 

Why should unchristian censures pass 
On men, or that which they profess ? 



£48 

A publican St. Matthew was, 
Yet God's beloved ne'ertheless ; 
And was elected one of Christ's 
Apostles and Evangelists : 



For God doth not a whit respect 
Profession, person, or degree; 
But maketh choice of his elect 
From every sort of men that be, 
That none might of his love despair, 
But all men unto him repair. 

3. 

For those, oh let us therefore pray, 
Who seem uncalled to remain ; 
Not shunning them, as cast away, 
God's favour never to obtain : 
For some awhile neglected are. 
To stir in us more loving care. 

4. 

And for ourselves, let us desire, 
That we our avarice may shun, 
When God our service shall require, 
As this Evangelist hath done, 
And spend the remnant of our days 
In setting forth our Maker's praise. 



249 



ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS. 

This day we glorify God for the .victory of St. 
Michael and his Angels obtained over the Dragon 
and his angels ; whereby the Church is freed from 
being prevailed against by the furious attempts or 
malicious accusations of the Devil. This comme- 
moration is appointed, also, to mind us thankfully 
to acknowledge God's mercy to us, in the daily mi- 
nistry, of his Angels, who are said to pitch their 
tents about his children, and to defend them from 
the temptations and mischievous practices of evil 
spirits, watching every moment for advantage to de- 
stroy them : which, if we oftener considered, and 
how there be armies of Angels and Devils, night 
and day, fighting for us, and round about us, we 
would become more careful how we grieved those 
good Spirits (who attend us for our safety), to the 
rejoicing of them that seek our destruction. By St, 
Michael, who was Prince of the good Angels (and 
termed by St. Jude an Archangel), some under- 
stand Jesus Christ; for he is indeed the principal 
Messenger or Angel of our salvation, and the chief 
of the Princes, as holy Daniel called him; yea, to 
him alone this name Michael (which signifleth ivho 
is like God) doth most properly appertain, seeing he 
only is the perfect image of his Father. 



250 

SONG LXXVI. 

Sing this as the Forty-fourth Song. 

1. 

To praise, oh God, and honour thee, 
For all thy glorious triumphs won, 
Assembled here this day are we, 
And to declare thy favours done : 
Thou took'st that great Archangel's part, 
With whom in Heaven the Dragon fought ; 
And that good army's friend thou wert, 
That cast him and his angels out. 

•2 

Whereby we now in safety are, 

Our dangers all secured from j 

For to increase thy glory here, 

Thy kingdom with great power is come : 

And we need stand m dread no more, 

Of that enraged fiend's despite, 

Who in thy presence, heretofore, 

Accused us both day and night. 

3. 

In honour of thy blessed name, 

This hymn of thanks we therefore sing; 

And to thine everlasting fame, 



251 

Through Heav'n thine endless praise shall ring: 
We praise thee for thy proper might, 
And, Lord, for all those Angels too. 
Who in thy battles came to right, 
Or have been sent thy will to do. 

6. 

For many of that glorious troop, 
To bring us messages from thee, 
From Heav'n vouchsafed have to stoop, 
And clad in human shape to be i 
Yea, we believe they watch and ward 
About our persons evermore, 
From evil spirits us to guard ; 
And we return thee praise therefore. 

K0000000000000000E 

ST. LUKE. 

This day we memorize the benefit the Church re- 
ceived by the blessed Evangelist St. Luke, a phy- 
sician both for soul and body, and the first eccle- 
siastical historiographer; for he was author, not only 
of that Gospel, which beareth his name; but also 
of that book called the Acts of the Apostles, and 
an eye-witness of most part of that which he hath 
written, remaining a constant companion of St. Paul 



252 

in his tribulations: worthily, therefore, ought we 
to honour him with a Christian memorial, and praise 
God for the grace vouchsafed us by his means. 

SONG LXXVIL 

Sing this as the Forty -fourth Song. 

]. 

If those physicians honour' d be, 
That do the body's health procure, 
Then worthy double praise is he, 
Who can both soul and body cure. 
In lifetime both ways Luke excell'd, 
And those receipts hath also left, 
Which many soul-sick patients heal'd, 
Since from the world he was bereft. 

2. 

And to his honour this beside, 
A blessed witness hath declar'd, 
That constant he did still abide, 
When others from the truth were scar'd : 
For which the glory, Lord, be thine, 
For of thy grace those gifts had he, 
And thou his actions didst incline, 
Our profit, and his good, to be. 



253 

3. 

By his example, therefore, Lord, 
Uphold us, that we fall not from 
The true profession of thy Word, 
Nor by this world be overcome ; 
And let his wholesome doctrine heal 
That leprous sickness of the soul, 
Which more and more would on her steal, 
And make her languish and grow foul. 

SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES. 

This day is dedicated to the praise of God, and the 
pious memory of the two blessed Apostles of Jesus 
Christ, Simon called Zelotes, or the Canaanite, and 
Jude the brother of James. And in this solemnity 
we are, among other things, principally put in mind 
of that love, which Christ commandeth to be con- 
tinued among us, and of that heed we ought to have 
unto our abiding in that state of grace, whereunto 
God hath called us, as appeareth in the Epistle and 
Gospel appointed for the day. 



254 

SONG LXXVIII. 

Sing this as the Third Song. 

1. 

No outward mark we have to know 

Who thine,, oh Christ, may be, 
Until a Christian love doth show 

Who appertains to thee : 
For knowledge may be reach'd unto, 

And formal justice gain'd, 
But till'each other love we do, 

Both faith and w T orks are feign'd. 

2. 

Love is the sum of those commands, 

Which thou with thine dost leave - 9 
And for a mark on them it stands, 

Which never can deceive : 
For when our knowledge folly turns, 

When shows no shew retain, 
- And zeal itself to nothing burns, 

Then love shall still remain. 

3. 

By this were thy Apostles knuV 
And joined so in one, 



255 

Their true-love-knot could never yet 

Be broken, nor undone :_ 
Oh let us, Lord, received be 

Into that sacred knot, 
And one become, with them and thee,, 

That sin undo us not. 

4. 

Yea, lest when we thy grace possess, 

We fall again away, 
Or turn it into wantonness, 

Assist thou us, we pray : 
And, that we may the better find 

What heed there should be learn' d^ 
Let us the fall of Angels mind, 

As blessed Jude hath warn'd. 



ALL SAINTS DAY. 

This day the Church hath appointed, that, to the 
praise of God, and our comfort, we should commo- 
rate that excellent mystery of the Communion of 
Saints (which is one of the twelve articles of Chris- 
tian belief) : and that (considering how admirably 
-the divine wisdom hath knit all his elect into one 



256 

body, for their more perfect enjoying both of his 
love, and the love of one another) we might here 
receive a taste of the pleasure we shall have in the 
full fruition of that felicity, and be stirred up also to 
such mutual love and unity, as ought to be betwixt 
us in this life. This is the last Saint's Day in the 
ecclesiastic circuit of the year, generally observable 
by the ancient ordinance of the Church : and it 
seemeth to have a mystery in it, shewing, that when 
the circle of time is come about, we shall, in one 
everlasting holiday, honour that blessed communion 
and mystical body, which shall be made perfect, 
when all those (whom we have memorized apart) 
are united into one 5 that is, when the Father, the 
Son, the Holy Ghost, the Angels, and all the holy 
Elect of God, shall be incorporated together into 
a joyful, unspeakable, and inseparable union in the 
kingdom of Heaven; which the Almighty hasten, 
Amen. 

SONG LXXIX. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song. 

1. 

No bliss can so contenting prove, 

As universal love to gain, i 



257 

Could we with full requiting love 
All men's affections entertain : 
But such a love the heart of man 
Nor well contain, nor merit can. 

2. 

For though to all we might be dear, 
(Which cannot in this life befall) 
We discontented should appear, 
Because we had not hearts for all: 
That we might all men love, as we 
Beloved would of all men be. 

3. 

For love in loving joys as much, 
As love for loving to obtain ; 
Yea, love unfeign'd is likewise sucrr, 
It cannot part itself in twain : 
The rival's friendship soon is gone, 
And love divided loveth none. 

4. 

Which causeth that with passions pain'd, 
So many men on earth we see ; 
And had not God a means ordain'd, 
This discontent in Heaven would be : 
For all the Saints would jealous prove 
Of God's, and of each other's love. 



258 

5. 
But he whose wisdom hath contrived 
His glory, with their full contents, 
Hath from himself to them deriv'd 
This favour (which that strife prevents). 
One body all his Saints he makes, 
And for his spouse this one he takes. 

6. 

So each one of them shall obtain 
Full love from all, returning to 
Full love to all of them again, 
As members of one body do : 
None jealous, but all striving how 
Most love to others to allow. 

For as the soul is all in all, 

And all through every member too, 

Love in the body mystical 

Is as the soul, and fills it so; 

Uniting them to God as near. 

As to each other they are dear* 

8. 

Yea, what they want to entertain, 

Such overflowing love as his, 

He will supply, and likewise deign 



259 

What for his full delight they miss \ 
That he may all his love employ, 
And they return his fill of joy. 

9- 

The seed of this content was sown, 
When God the spacious world did frame, 
And ever since the same hath grown, 
To be an honour to his name ; 
And when his Saints are sealed all, 
This mystery unseal he shall. 

10. 

Meanwhile (as we in landscape view 
Fields,, rivers, cities, woods, and seas, 
And though but little they can shew, 
Do therewithal our fancies please, 
Let contemplation maps contrive 
To shew us where we shall arrive. 

11. 

And though our hearts too shallow be, 
That blest communion to conceive, 
Of which we shall in Heaven be free, 
Let us on earth together cleave : 
For those who keep in union here, 
Shall know by faith what will be there. 
s 2 



g$0 

12. 

Where all those Angels we admir'd, 
With every Saint since time begun, 
Whose sight and love we have desir'd, 
Shall be with us conjoin'd in one : 
And we and they, and they and we, 
To God himself espoused be. 

13. 

Oh happy wedding ! where the guests, 
The bride and bridegroom shall be one $ 
Where songs, embraces, triumphs, feasts., 
And joys of love are never done : 
But thrice accurst are those that miss 
Their garment when this wedding is. 

14. 

Sweet Jesus, seal'd and clad, therefore, 

For that great meeting let us be, 

Where people, tongues, and kindreds, more 

Than can be told, attend on thee, 

To make those shouts of joy and praise, 

Which to thine honour they shall raise.- 



2(51 



ROGATION WEEK. 

This is called Rogation Week, being so termed by 
antiquity a rogando, from the public supplications; 
for then the Litany, which is full of humble peti- 
tions and intreaties, was, with solemn procession, 
usually repeated ; because there be, about that sea- 
son, most occasions of public prayer, in regard 
princes go then forth to battle 5 the fruits and hope 
of plenty are in their blossom; the air is most sub- 
ject to contagious infections; and there is most la- 
bouring and travelling, both by land, and sea also, 
from that time of the year forward. Which laud- 
able custom (though it be lately much decayed, and 
in some countries abused from the right end, and 
mingled with superstitious ceremonies) is in many 
places orderly retained, according as the Church of 
England approveth it; and we yearly make use also 
of those processions, to keep knowledge of the true 
bounds of our several parishes, for avoiding of strife. 
And those perambulations were yearly appointed 
likewise, that, viewing God's yearly blessing upon 
the grass, the corn, and other fruits of the earth, we 
might be the more provoked to praise him, 



£62 

SONG LXXX, 

Sing this as the Forty -fourth Song. 



It was thy pleasure, Lord, to say, 
That whatsoever in thy name 
We pray'd for, as we ought to pray, 
Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant the same i 
Oh, therefore, we beseech thee now, 
To these our prayers which we make, 
Thy gracious ear in favour bow, 
And grant them for thy mercy's sake. 

2. 

Let not the seasons of this year, 
As they their courses do observe, 
Engender those contagions here, 
Which our transgressions do deserve: 
Let not the summer worms impair 
Those bloomings of the earth we see \ 
Nor blastings, or distempered air, 
Destroy those fruits that hopeful be. 

3. 

Domestic brawls expel thou far, 

And be thou pleas'd our coast to guard $ 



263 

The dreadful sounds of in -brought war 
Within our confines be not heard : 
Continue also here thy Wordy 
And make us thankful, thee we pray ; 
The pestilence, dearth, and the swords 
Have been so long withheld away. 



And, as we needfully observe 
The certain limits of our grounds, 
And outward quiet to preserve, 
About them walk our yearly rounds : 
So let us also have a care, 
Our soul's possessions, Lord, to know, 
That no encroachments on us there 
Be gained by our subtile foe. 

5. 

What pleasant groves, what goodly fields ! 
How fruitful hills and dales have we ! 
How sweet an air our climate yields ! 
How stor'd with flocks and herds are we ! 
How milk and honey doth o'erflow! 
How clear and wholesome are our springs ! 
How safe from ravenous beasts we go ! 
And oh, how free from poisonous things ! 



2G4 

For these, and for our grass, our corn -, 
For all that springs from blade or bough - x 
For all those blessings that adorn 
Or wood, or field, this kingdom through : 
For all of these, thy praise we sing, 
And humbly, Lord, entreat thee too, 
That fruit to thee we forth may bring, 
As unto us thy creatures do. 



So in the sweet refreshing shade 
Of thy protection sitting down, 
Those gracious favours we have had, 
Relate we will to thy renown ; 
Yea, other men, when we are gone, 
Shall for thy mercies honour thee, 
And famous make what thou hast done. 
To such as after them shall be. 

ST. GEORGE'S DAY. 

This may be called the Court Holiday; for with 
us it is solemnized upon command in the court 
royal of the Majesty of Great Britain only, or in, 



Q65 

the families of those Knights of the Order, who are 
constrained to be absent from the solemnity there 
held, which is usually on the day anciently dedi- 
cated to George the Martyr. Nevertheless, Ave be- 
lieve not that it was he whom they anciently chose 
to be the Patron of the forenamed order ; for the 
relation of him who delivered the lady from the 
dragon is only a Christian allegory, invented to set 
forth the better the Church's deliverance. Jesus 
Christ is the true St. George, and our English tute- 
lary Saint ; even he that cometh armed upon the 
White Horse, Rev. xix. 11. The Dragon he over- 
lhroweth is the Beast mentioned in the same chap- 
ter, and called (a liitle before) *■ the Dragon with 
seven heads and ten horns:' the lady he delivers is 
that woman whom the Dragon persecutes, Rev. xii. 
And to the honour of him I conceive the most ho- 
nourable order of St. George to be continued, and 
this day consecrated. Nor is there any irreverence 
in imposing this name on our Redeemer; for George 
signified! a Husbandman, which is a name or attri- 
bute that even Christ applied to his Father, John 
xv. 2. ' My Father,' saith he, (o Tsxpyoc sen) < is 
the George,' or the Husbandman. And, indeed, 
very properly may this nation call God their George 
or Husbandman, for he hath (as it were) moted 
this island with the sea, walled it with natural bul- 



266 

warks, built towers in it, planted his truth here, 
weeded, dressed, and replenished it like a garden ; 
and, in a word,, every way done the part of a good 
Husbandman thereon. Howsoever, therefore, the 
first occasion of this day's great solemnity seem but 
mean (as the beginnings of many noble inventions 
were) yet I conceive that institution to have been 
ordained to weighty and Christian purposes : even 
to oblige the Peers of this kingdom, by the new and 
strict bands of an honourable order, to imitate their 
Patron's care over his vineyard, to remember them, 
that they are the band-royal, to whom the guard 
thereof is committed, to stir up in them virtuous 
emulations, and to shew them how to make use of 
their temporal dignities to the glory of God. For, 
beside many other reverend officers, there belongs 
a Prelate also to these solemnities ; and, methinks, 
we should not imagine that the Founderof it (being 
a Christian Prince, assisted by a wise and religious 
counsel) would have so profaned the most excellent 
dignity of the Church, as to make it wait on cere-^ 
monies ordained for ostentation, or some other vain 
ends. More discreetly they deal, who apprehend 
the contrary, and are not in danger of this sentence* 
r Evil to him that evil thinketh.' 

vvvvvvvvv 



267 

SONG LXXXL , 

Sing this as the Third Song, 

i. 

All praise and glory that we may, 

Ascribe we,, Lord, to thee, 
From whom the triumphs of this day, 

And all our glories be : 
For of itself, nor east, nor west, 

Doth honour ebb or flow, 
But as to thee it seemeth best, 

Preferments to bestow. 

2. 

Thou art, oh Christ, that valiant Knight, 

Whose order we profess, 
And that Saint George, who oft doth fight 

For England in distress : 
The Dragon thou o'erthrew'st is he, 

That would thy Church devour, 
And that fair lady, Lord, is she, 

Thou savest from his power. 

3. 

Thou like a Husbandman prepar'd 
Our fields, yea sown them hast $ 



268 

And, Knight-like, with a warlike guard, 
From spoil inclos'd them fast. 

Oh deign, that those, who in a band 
More strict than heretofore, 

Are for this vineyard bound to standi 
May watch it now the more : 

4. 

Yea grant, since they elected are, 

New orders to put on, 
And sacred hieroglyphics wear, 

Of thy great conquest won, 
That those, when they forget, may tell 

Why such of them are worn, 
And inwardly inform as well, 

As outwardly adorn $ 

5, 

That so their Christian Knighthood may 

No Pagan order seem; 
Nor they their meetings pass away, 

As things of vain esteem ; 
And, that we may our triumphs all 

To thy renown apply, 
Who art that Saint, on whom we call. 

When we Saint George do cry. 



269 



FOR PUBLIC DELIVERANCES. 

God hath vouchsafed unto this kingdom many pub- 
lic deliverances, which ought never to be forgotten, 
but rather should be celebrated by us, as the days 
Purim by the Israelites, Hester ix. 26. Especially 
that of the fifth of November : for the celebration 
whereof there is a statute enacted : and it is hoped 
we shall never neglect or be ashamed to praise God 
for that delivery, according to provision made to 
that purpose. For that, and the like occasions, 
therefore, this Hymn is composed. 



SONG LXXXII. 



Sing this as the Ninth Song. 



With Israel we may truly say, 
If on our side God had not been, 
Our foes had made of us their prey, 
And we this light had never seen: 
The pit was digg'd, the snare was laid, 
And we with ease had been betray'd. 



270 

2. 

But they that hate us undertook 
A plot they could not bring to pass j 
For he that all doth overlook,, 
Prevented what intended was : 
We found the pit, and 'scap'd the gin. 
And saw their makers caught therein. 

3. 

The means of help was not our own, 
But from the Lord alone it came $ 
(A favour undeserved shown) ; 
And therefore let us praise his name * 
Oh, praise his name, for it was he 
That broke the net, and set us free. 



Unto his honour let us sing, 
And stories of his mercy tell; 
With praises let our temples ring, 
And on our lips thanksgiving dwell : 
Yea, let us not his love forget, 
While sun or moon doth rise or set, 

5. 

Let us redeem again the times/ 
Let us begin to live anew, 



271 

And not revive those heinous crimes, 
That dangers past so near us drew } 
Lest he that did his hand revoke. 
Return it with a double stroke. 

6. 

A true repentance takes delight 
To mind God's favours heretofore ; 
So, when his mercies men recite, 
It makes a true repentance more : 
And where those virtues do increase, 
They are the certain signs of peace. 

7- 
But where increasing sins we see, 
And to such dulness men are grown, 
That slighted those protections be, 
Which God in former time hath shown, 
It shall betoken to that land 
Some desolation near at hand. 

8. 

Our hearts, oh, never harden so, 

Nor let thine anger so return ; 

But with desire thy will to do, 

For our offences let us mourn : 

And mind to praise, e'en tears among, 

Thy mercies in a joyful song. 



Z1Z 



FOR THE COMMUNION. 

We have a custom among us, that, during the time 
of administering the blessed Sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper, there is some Psalm or Hymn sung, the 
better to keep the thoughts of the Communicants 
from wandering after vain objects : this Song, there- 
fore (expressing a true thankfulness, together with 
what ought to be our faith concerning that mystery, 
in such manner as the vulgar capacity may be capa- 
ble thereof) is offered up to their devotion, who 
shall please to receive it. 



@>®«x®><S^'»» 



SONG LXXXIII. 

Sing this as the Third Song. 

1. 

That favour, Lord, which of thy grace 

We do receive to d^y, 
Is greater than our merit was, 

And more than praise we may : 
For, of all things that can be told, 

That which least comfort hath, 
Is more than e'er deserve we could, 

Except it were thy wrath. 



273 

2. 

Yet we not only have obtain'd 

This world's best gifts of thee, 
But thou thy flesh hast also deign'd 

Our food of life to be -, 
For which, since we no mends can make, 

(And thou requir'st no more) 
The cup of saving health we take, 

And praise thy name therefore. 

3. 

Oh teach us rightly to receive 

What thou dost here bestow 5 
And learn us truly to conceive, 

What we are bound to know $ 
That such as cannot wade the deep 

Of thy unfathonrd Word, 
May, by thy grace, safe courses keep 

Along the shallow ford. 

4. 

This mystery, we must confess, 

Our reach doth far exceed, 
And some of our weak faiths are less 

Than grains of mustard seed : 
Oh, therefore, Lord, increase it so, 

We fruit may bear to thee, 

T 



274 

And that implicit faith may grow 
Explicit faith to be. 



With hands we see not, as with eyes 5 

Eyes think not as the heart 5 
But each retains what doth suffice 

To act his proper part : 
And in the body, while it bides, 

The meanest member shares 
That bliss, which to the best betides, 

And as the same it fares. 

6. 

So, if in union unto thee 

United we remain, , 
The faith of those that stronger be, 

The weaker shall sustain : 
Our Christian love shall that supply, 

Which we in knowledge miss, 
And humble thoughts shall mount us high, 

E'en to eternal bliss. 

7. 

Oh, pardon all those heinous crimes, 

Whereof we guilty are : 
To serve thee more in future times, 

Our hearts do thou prepare j. 



275 

And make thou gracious in thy sight 

Both us,, and this we do, 
That thou therein mayst take delight, 

And we have love thereto. 

8. 

No new oblation we devise, 

For sins preferr'd to be - 7 
Propitiatory sacrifice 

Was made at full by thee : 
The sacrifice of thanks is that, 

And all that thou dost crave, 
And we ourselves are part of what 

We sacrificed have. 

9. 

We do no gross realities 

Of flesh in this conceive ; 
Or that their proper qualities 

The bread or wine do leave : 
Yet in this holy Eucharist 

We, by a means divine, 
Know we are fed with thee, oh Christ, 

Receiving bread and wine. 

10. 

And though the outward elements 

For signs acknowledg'd be, 
t 2 



2?6 

We cannot say thy Sacrament's 

Things only signal be: 
Because, whoe'er thereof partakes. 

In those this power it hath, 
It either them thy members makes, 

Or slaves of sin and death. 

If. 

Nor unto those do we incline, 

But from them are estrang'd, 
Who yield the form of bread and wine. 

Yet think the substance chang'd : 
For we believe each element 

Is what it seems indeed, 
Although that in thy Sacrament 

Therewith on thee we feed, 

12. 

Thy real presence we avow, 

And know it so divine, 
That carnal reason knows not how 

That presence to define : 
For when thy flesh we feed on thus. 

Though strange it do appear, 
Both we in thee, and thou in us, 

E'en at one instant are. 



277 

13. 

No marvel many troubled were, 

This secret to unfold, 
For mysteries faith's objects are, 

Not things at pleasure told. 
And he that would by reason sound, 

"What faith's deep reach conceives, 
May both himself and them confound, 

To whom his rules he leaves. 

14. 

Let us, therefore, our faith erect 

On what thy Word doth say, 
And hold their knowledge in suspect, 

That new foundations lay : 
For such full many a grievous rend 

Within thy Church have left 5 
And by thy peaceful Sacrament 

The world of peace bereft. 

15. 

Yea, what thy pledge and seal of love 

Was first ordain'd to be, 
Doth great and hateful quarrels move 

Where wrangling spirits be : 
And many men have lost their blood 

Who did thy name profess, 



278 

Because they hardly understood 
What others would express. 

16. 

Oh, let us not hereafter so, 

About mere words contend, 
The while our crafty common foe 

Procures on us his end: 
But if in essence we agree, 

Let all with love essay 
A help unto the weak to be, 

And for each other pray. 

17. 

Love is that blessed cement, Lord, 

Which must us reunite 3 
In bitter speeches, fire and sword, 

It never took delight : 
The weapons those of malice are, 

And they themselves beguile, 
Who dream that such ordained were 

Thy Church to reconcile. 

18. 

Love brought us hither, and that love 

Persuades us to implore, 
That thou all Christians hearts wouldst move 

To seek it more and more ; 



279 

And that self-will no more bewitch 

Our minds with foul debate, 
Nor fill us with that malice which 

Disturbs a quiet state. 

19. 

But this especially we crave, 

That perfect peace may be 
'Mong those that disagreed have 

In show of love to thee 5 
That they with us, and we with them," 

May Christian peace retain, 
And both in New Jerusalem 

With thee for ever reign. 

20. 

No longer let ambitious ends, 

Blind zeal, or cankered spight, 
Those Churches keep from being friends, 

Whom love should fast unite : 
But let thy glory shine among 

Those candlesticks, we pray, 
We may behold what hath so long 

Exil'd thy peace away: 

21. 

That those, who, heeding not thy word, 
Expect an earthly power, 



280 

And vainly think some temporal sword 

Shall Antichrist devour \ 
That those may know thy weapons are 

No such as they do feign, 
And that it is no carnal war 

Which we must entertain. 

22. 

Confessors, Martyrs, Preachers strike 

The blows that gain this field : 
Thanks, prayer, instructions, and the like, 

Those weapons are they wield : 
Long-suffering, patience, prudent care, 

Must be the court-of- guard $ 
And faith and innocency are 

Instead of walls prepared. 
23. 
For these, no question, may as well 

Great Babel overthrow, 
As Jericho's large bulwarks fell, 

When men did ram's-horns blow; 
Which, could we credit, we should cease 

All bloody plots to lay, 
And to suppose God's holy peace 

Should come the Devil's way. 
24. 
Lord, let that flesh and blood of thine A 

Which fed us hath to day, 



281 

Our hearts to thy true-love incline, 

And drive ill thoughts away; 
Let us remember what thou hast 

For our mere love endur'd, 
E'en when of us despis'd thou wast, 

And we thy death procur'd. 

25. 

And with each other, for thy sake, 

So truly let us bear, 
Our patience may us dearer make, 

When reconcil'd we are : 
So when our courses finish' d be, 

We shall ascend above 
Sun, moon, and stars, to live with thee, 

That art the God of Love. 

S3®®®©® 00®®® ©©©©©©£ 

EMBER WEEK. 

The Ember Weeks are four fasts, anciently solem- 
nized at the four principal seasons of the year, and 
by an institution appointed to be observed for divers 
good purposes. First, to humble ourselves by fast- 
ing and prayer, that God might, upon our humilia- 
tion, be moved to grant us the blessings belonging 



282 

to those seasons. Secondly, that it might please 
God to strengthen our constitutions against the dis- 
temperatures occasioned by the several humours pre- 
dominate at those times, to the endangering of our 
bodily healths. Thirdly, that we might be remem- 
bered to dedicate a part of every season to God's 
glory. And lastly,, that there might be a public 
fasting and prayers made for those (according to the 
Apostle's use) who by the laying on of hands were 
to be confirmed in the ministry of the Gospel : for 
the Sunday next after these fasts is the time ordi- 
narily appointed for the ordination of such as are 
called to those offices. 

SONG LXXXIV. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song. 



Thou dost, from evry season, Lord, 
To profit us, advantage take, 
And at their fittest times afford 
Thy blessings for thy mercy's sake : 
At winter, summer, fall, or spring, 
We furnish'd are of ev'ry thing. 



283 



A part, therefore, from each of these, 
With one consent reserv'd have we, 
In prayer and fasting to appease 
That wrath our sins have mov'd in thee $ 
And that thou mayst not, for our crimes, 
Destroy the blessings of the times. 

3. 

Oh, grant that our devotions may 
With true sincereness be performed, 
And that our lives, not for a day, 
But may for ever be reform'd : 
Lest we remain as fast in sin, 
As if we ne'er had fasting been. 

4. 

Our constitutions temper so, 

Those humours, which this season reign, 

May not have power to overthrow 

That health which yet we do retain : 

Else, through that weakness which it brings, 

Lord, make us strong in better things. 



And, since thy holy Church appoints 
These times, thy workmen forth to send, 



£84 

And those for Pastors now anoints, 
Who on thy fold are to attend : 
Bless thou, where they who should ordain 
With prayer and fasting hands have lain. 

6. 

Oh, bless them, ever blessed Lord, 

Whom for thy work the Church doth choose $ 

Instruct them by thy sacred Word, 

And with thy Spirit them infuse, 

That live and teach aright they may, 

And we their teaching well obey. 



THESE THAT FOLLOW ARE THANKSGIVINGS 
FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS. 

FOR SEASONABLE WEATHER. 

It is our duty to give God thanks, and praise him, 
both publickly and privately, for all his mercies ; 
especially for such as tend to the general good : and, 
therefore, the Church hath in her Liturgy ordained 
set forms of Thanksgiving for such ends; hi imita-* 



285 

lion whereof these following Hymns are composed, 
that we might the oftener, and with more delight, 
exercise this duty, which is most properly done in 
song : and thereby,, also, the forms of Thanksgiving 
are much the more easily learned of the common 
people, to be sung of them amid their labours. 
This, that next follows, is a Thanksgiving for sea- 
sonable Weather: by means whereof we enjoying 
the blessings of the earth, ought at all times to praise 
God for the same. 



SONG LXXXV, 

Sing this as the Third Song. 

I. 

Lord, should the sun, the clouds, the wind, 

The air, and seasons be 
To us so froward and unkind, 

As we are false to thee ; 
All fruits would quite away be burn'd, 

Or lie in water drown'd, 
Or blasted be, or overturn d, 

Or chilled on the ground. 

2. 

But, from our duty though we swerve, 
Thou still dost mercy show, 



£86 

And deign thy creatures to preserve, 

That men might thankful grow ; 
Yea,, though from day to day we sin, 

And thy displeasure gain, 
No sooner we to cry begin, 

But pity we obtain. 

a. 

The weather now thou changed hast, 

That put us late to fear, 
And when our hopes were almost past, 

Then comfort did appear. 
The Heaven the earth's complaint hath heard, 

They reconciled be, 
And thou such weather hast prepar'd, 

As we desir'd of thee : 

4. 

For which, with lifted hands and eyes. 

To thee we do repay 
The due, and willing sacrifice 

Of giving thanks to day ; 
Because such offerings we should not 

To render thee be slow ; 
Nor let that mercy be forgot, 

Which thou art pleas' d to show. 



m 



FOR PLENTY. 

Plenty is the cure of famine, and a blessing which, 
above all other, we labour and travail for ; yet, 
when we have obtained the same, it makes us many 
times so wanton, instead of being thankful, that we 
forget not only God's mercy in that, but abuse all 
other benefits. To put us, therefore, in mind of our 
duty, and to express the better a continual thank- 
fulness to the Almighty, this Hymn is composed. 



SONG LXXXVI. 



Sing this as the Third Song. 



1. 

How oft, and in how many crimes, 

Thee jealous have we made ; 
And, blessed God, how many times 

Have we forgiveness had ? 
If we with tears to bed at night 

For our transgressions go, 
To us thou dost, by morning light, 

Some comfort deign to show. 

2. 

This pleasant land, which for our sin 
Was lately barren made, 



288 

Her fruitfulness doth new begins 

And we are therefore glad ( 
We for those creatures thankful be, 

Which thou bestowest, Lord, 
And for that plenty honour thee, 

Which thou dost now afford. 

3. 

Oh, let us therewith in excess 

Not wallow, like to swine, 
Nor into graceless wantonness 

Convert this grace of thine; 
Bat so revive our feeble powers, 

And so refresh the poor, 
That thou mayst crown this land of ourg 

With plenties evermore. 

FOR PEACE. 

Peace is the nurse of Plenty, and the means of so 
many other blessings, both public and private, that 
God can never be sufficiently praised for it; yet, in- 
stead of glorifying him, men most commonly abuse 
it to the dishonour of God, and their ruin. This 
Hymn, therefore, is composed, that it may give 
occasion to us more often to meditate God's mercy, 



289 

and to glorify his name, who, above all other na- 
tions, have tasted the sweetness of this benefit. 

SONG LXXXVII. 

Sing this as the Third Song. 

1. 

So cause us, Lord, to think upon 

Those blessings we possess, 
That what is for our safety done, 

We truly may confess : 
For we, whose fields, in time forepast, 

Most bloody war did stain, 
Whilst fire and sword doth others waste, 

In safety now remain. 

2. 

No armed troops the ploughman fears : 

No shot our walls o'er turn ; 
No temple shakes about our ears ; 

No village here doth burn - 7 
No father hears his pretty child 

In vain for succour cry -, 
Nor husband sees his wife dehTd, 

Whilst he half dead doth lie. 



290 

3. 

t)ear God, vouchsafe to pity those, 

In this distress that be $ 
They, to protect them from their foes^ 

May have a friend of thee : 
For, by thy friendship we obtain 

These gladsome peaceful days, 
And, somewhat to return again, 

We thus do sing thy praise. 

4. 

We praise thee for that inward peace, 

And for that outward rest, 
Wherewith, unto our joy's increase, 

This kingdom thou hast blest : 
Oh, never take the same away, 

But let it still endure ; 
And grant, oh Lord, it make us may 

More thankful, not secure. 

FOR VICTORY. 

Oi;r God is the Lord of Hosts, and the God of 
Battles: whensoever, therefore, we have gotten 
the upper. hand over our enemies, we ought not to 



glory in our own strength, policy, or valour, but to 
ascribe the glory of it to him only, and return him 
public thanks for making us victorious over our ene- 
mies : and this Hymn serveth to help their devo- 
tion, who are willing to perform that duty. 

©0##0©OOSO£© 

SONG LXXXVIII. 

Sing this as the Forty -fourth Song. 

1. 

Wfi love thee, Lord, we praise thy name, 
Who, by thy great Almighty arm, 
Hast kept us from the spoil and shame 
Of those, that sought our causeless harm ; 
Thou art our life, or triumph- song, 
The joy and comfort of our heart ; 
To thee all praises do belong, 
And thou the Lord of Armies art. 

2. 

We must confess it is thy power 
That made us masters of the field ; 
Thou art our bulwark and our tower, 
Our rock of refuge, and our shield 5 
Thou taughtst our hands and arms to fight; 
With vigour thou didst gird us round ; 
u 2 



292 

Thou mad'st our foes to take their flight, 
And thou didst beat them to the ground. 

3. 

With fury came our armed foes, 

To blood and slaughter fiercely bent, 

And perils round did us enclose, 

By whatsoever way we went ; 

That hadst thou not our Captain been, 

To lead us on, and off again, 

We on the place had dead been seen, 

Or mask'd in blood and wounds had lain. 



This Song we therefore sing to thee, 
And pray that thou for evermore 
Wouidst our Protector deign to be, 
As at this time, and heretofore •, 
That thy continual favour shown, 
May cause us more to thee incline, 
And make it through the world be known, 
That such as are our foes are thine. 



5£:X-?B^§lf8^9PprJr5P§r3r 



J29S 

FOR DELIVERANCE FROM A PUBLIC 
SICKNESS. 

The Pestilence, and other public sicknesses, are 
those arrows of the Almighty, wherewith he pu- 
nisheth public transgressions : this Hymn, therefore, 
is to praise him, when he shall unslack the bow 
which was bent against us ; and the longer he with- 
holds his hand, the more constantly ought we to 
continue our public thanksgivings ; for when we 
forget to persevere in praising God for his mercies 
past, we usually revive those sins that will renew 
his judgments. 

SONG LXXXIX. 

Sing this as the Ninth Song. 

1. 

When thou would'st, Lord, afflicts land, 
Or scourge thy people that offend, 
To put in practice thy command, 
Thy creatures all on thee attend ; 
And thou, to execute thy word, 
Hast famine, sickness, fire, and sword. 



294 

2. 

And here among us, for our sin, 
A sore disease hath lately reign* d. 
Whose fury so unstay'd hath been, 
It could by nothing be restrained, 
But overthrew both young and strong, 
And took away both old and young. 

3. 

To thee our cries we therefore sent, 
Thy wonted pity,, Lord, to prove j 
Our wicked ways we did repent, 
Thy visitation to remove -, 
And thou thine Angel didst command, 
To stay his wrath-inflicting hand. 



For which thy love, in thankful wise, 
Both hearts and hands to thee we raise, 
And in the stead of former cries, 
Do sing thee now a Song of Praise ; 
By whom the favour yet we have 
To 'scape the never-filled grave. 



295 



FOR THE KING'S DAY. 

The first day of Kings' Reigns hath been anciently 
observed in most kingdoms 5 and with us that cus- 
tom is worthily retained, partly for civil ends, and 
partly that the people might assemble together, to 
praise God for the benefit the commonwealth re- 
ceiveth by the Prince ; to pray for his preservation 
alsoj and to desire a blessing upon him and his go- 
vernment j to which purpose this Song is composed. 

8**XXXX*#8 

SONG XC. 

Sing this as the Third Song. 

1. 

When, Lord, we call to mind those things, 

That should be sought of thee, 
Remembering that the hearts of Kings 

At thy disposing be 5 
And how, of all those blessings which 

Are outwardly posses t, 
To make a kingdom safe and rich, 

Good Princes are the best; 



W6 



We thus are mov'd to sing thy praise 

For him thou deigned hast, 
And humbly beg, that all our days 

Thy care of us may last. 
Oh, bless our King, and let him reign 

In peaceful safety long, 
The Faith's Defender to remain, 

And shield the truth from wrong. 



With awful love, and loving dread, 

Let us observe him, Lord ; 
And, as the members with their head, 

In Christian peace accord : 
And fill him with such royal care, 

To cherish us for this, 
As if his heart did feel we are 

Some living parts of his. 

4. 

Let neither party struggle from 
That duty should be shown, 

Lest each to other plagues become, 
And both be overthrown : 

For, o'er a disobedient land 
Thou dost a tyrant set, 



S97 

And those, that tyrant-like command, 
Have still with rebels met. 

5. 

Oh, never let so sad a doom 

Upon these kingdoms fall 5 
And to assure it may not come, 

Our sins forgive us all : 
Yea, let the parties innocent 

Some damage rather share, 
Than, by unchristian discontent, 

A double curse to bear. 

6. 

Make us, that placed are below, 

Our callings to apply, 
Not over curious be to know 

What he intends on high : 
But teach him justly to command, 

Us rightly to obey, 
So both shall safe together stand, 

And doubts shall fly away. 

7- 
When hearts of Kings we pry into, 

Our own we do beguile ; 
And what we ought ourselves to do, 



298 

We leave undone the while : 
Whereas,, if each man would attend 

The way he hath to live, 
And all the rest to thee commend, 

Then all should better thrive. 



Oh, make us, Lord, disposed thus, 

And our dread Sovereign save ? 
Bless us in him, and him in us, 

We both may blessings have j 
That many years for him we may 

This Song devoutly sing, 
And mark it for a happy day, 

When he became our King. 



HERE ENDKTH THE HYMNS AND SONGS OF THE CHURCH. 



*<►*«* 4»<fe4M»^* 



299 



THE AUTHOR'S HYMN. 

Great Almighty, God of Heaven! 
Honour, praise, and glory be 
Now, and still hereafter given, 
For thy blessings deigned me : 
Who hast granted and prepared 
More than can be well declared. 

By thy mercy thou didst raise me 

From below the pits of clay -, 

Thou hast taught my lips to praise thee. 

Where thy love confess I may : 

And those blessed hopes dost leave me, 

Whereof no man can bereave me. 

By thy grace, those passions, troubles, 
And those wants that me opprest, 
Have appear'd as water-bubbles, 
Or as dreams, and things in jest : 
For thy leisure still attending, 
I with pleasure saw their ending. 

Those afflictions, and those terrors, 
Which to others grim appear, 
Did but shew me where my errors 
And my imperfections were : 



800 

But distrustful could not make me 
Of thy love, nor fright nor shake me. 

When in public to defame me, 

A design was brought to pass, 

On their heads, that meant to sharne me, 

Their own malice turned was ; 

And that day, most grace was shown me, 

Which they thought should have undone me. 

Therefore, as thy blessed Psalmist, 
When he saw his wars had end, 
And his days were at the calmest, 
Psalms and Hymns of praises penn'd. 
So, my rest by thee enjoyed, 
To thy praise I have employed. 

Yea, remembering what I vowed, 
When enclos'd from all but thee, 
I thy presence was allowed, 
While the world neglected me : 
This my Muse hath took upon her, 
That she might advance thine honour. 

Lord, accept my poor endeavour, 
And assist thy servant so, 
In good studies to perse ver, 
That more fruitful he may grow \ 



SOI 

And become thereby the meeker, 
Not his own vain glory seeker. 

Grant my frailties and my folly. 
And those daily sins I do, 
May not make this work unholy, 
Nor a blemish bring thereto : 
Bat, let all my faults committed 
With compassion be remitted. 

Those base hopes that would possess me, 
And those thoughts of vain repute, 
Which do now and then oppress me, 
Do not, Lord, to me impute ; 
And though part they will not from me, 
Let them never overcome me. 

Till this present, from obsceneness, 
Thou, oh Lord, hast kept my pen ; 
And my verse abhorr'd uncleanness, 
Though it vain were, now and then : 
My loose thoughts it ne'er inflamed, 
But I thereby them have tamed. 

Still withhold me from delighting 
That, which thine may misbeseem - } 
And from every kind of writing, 
Whereby this may lose esteem; 



302 

That I may, with faith and reason, 
Every future volume season. 

Oh, preserve me from committing 
Aught that's heinously amiss $ 
From all speeches him unfitting, 
That hath been employ' d on this : 
Yea, as much as may be deigned, 
Keep my very thoughts unstained. 

That these helps unto devotion 
May no scandal have at all, 
Lord, I make to thee this motion, 
For their sakes that use them shall : 
Of the world I am not fearful, 
Nor of mine own glory careful. 

Whilst thy favours thou dost deign me> 
I despise the world's respect; 
And most comforts entertain me, 
When I suffer most neglect : 
Yea, I then am best rewarded, 
When I seem the least regarded. 

For, oh, when I mind my Saviour, 
And how many a spiteful tongue 
Slander'd his most pure behaviour. 
And his pious't works did wrong : 



303 

I contented am, and care not, 
Though my life detraction spare not. 

Therefore, when that I shall blamed, 
Or with cause, or causeless be, 
So thy truth be not defamed, 
Fall what can befall on me : 
Let my fame of none be friended, 
So- thy Saints be not offended. 

That is most my fear, oh Father; 
Thy assistance therefore lend $ 
And, oh let me perish rather, 
Than thy little ones offend : 
Let my life some honour do thee, 
Or by death return me to thee. 

For thy praise I wish and love it \ 
. And, oh, let my end be shame, 
If for mine own sake I covet 
Either life, or death, or fame : 
So it may be to thy glory, 
Let detraction write my story. 

But to thee which way availing; 
Can my shame or honour be ? 
Truth shall ever be prevailing, 
Whatsoe'er is thought of me: 



504 

Thou nought losest through my folly, 
Nor gain' st aught by the most holy. 

And, I know, that whatsoever 

Hath thy glory in esteem, 

Will accept this good endeavour, 

Whatsoe'er the workman seem ; 

Let, oh therefore, be fulfilled 

That which thou, oh Lord, hast willed. 

And when I, with Israel's Singer, . 
To these Songs of Faith shall learn 
Thy ten-stringed law to finger, 
And that music to discern 3 
Lift me to that angel quire, 
Whereunto thy Saints aspire ! 



THE EjNP, 



T, Betitley, Printer* 
Boil Court, Meet Street) Lcndw* 



305 
TO THE READER. 

That such as have skill, and are delighted with 
music, may have the more variety, to stir up the 
soon cloyed affections, these Hymns are fitted with 
many new tunes ; nevertheless, all (but some few 
of them) may be sung to such tunes as have been 
heretofore in use. For the benefit, therefore, of 
those who have no experience in music, I have 
here set down which songs they be, and to what 
old tunes they may be sung. 

To the tune of the 1, 2, 3, and of an hundred 
other Psalms, may be sung Songs 2, 21, 32, 33, 
35, 38, 43, 53, 57, 58, 67, 69, 7% 7%> 81, 83, 
85, 86, 87, 90. 

To the tune of the 51, 100, 125 Psalms, and 
the Ten Commandments, &c may be sung Songs 
5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 27, 38, 34, 42, 44, 48, 51, 52, 
56, 60, 61, 64, 65, 66, 68, 70, 73, 76, 77 > 80, 88. 

To the tune of the 112, 127 Psalms, and the 
Lord's Prayer, &c. may be sung Songs 7» 40, 41, 
45, 49, 50, 54, 5Q f 62, 71, 74, 75, 79> 82, 84, 89. 

To the tune of the 113 Psalm may be sung 
Songs 9, 10, 17. 

To. the tune of the 25 Psalm may be sung Song 
20. 

To the tune of the 124 Psalm may be sung Song 

47. 

x 



The following ERRATA of the original Edition were overlooked 
by the Transcriber of the copy for the p-ess. 

Page 1, in the title of the Song, read Exod. xv. — P. 5, in the 
title of the Song, read Beut, xxxii. — P. £3, 1. 12, read the pave- 
ment of it: 1. 14, read with charity. — P. 88, 1. 8, for alive, read 
to life.— P. 197, 1. 11, for confuted, read comforted. — P. 206, 
for Song LVIL read Song LVL 



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